Gates: Northrop decision won’t delay tanker - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Gates: Northrop decision won’t delay tanker

Northrop Grumman’s decision against pursuing the KC-X tanker should not slow down the arrival of new refuelers, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told airmen March 11 during a visit with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in the Persian Gulf region.

That’s good news if your job is fly or repair the 45-year-old fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers that the KC-X will replace.

Northrop’s March 8 withdrawal left Boeing as the only firm likely to bid on the project to deliver 179 tankers worth more than $30 billion.

Gates said he regrets Northrop’s decision, and warned that Boeing shouldn't expect to be able to pad the bill. Gates told airmen the Pentagon and Air Force will be “sharpening our pencils” when it comes time to negotiate a deal.

Air Force plans call for awarding a contract in September. The first jet for testing should arrive in 2012 with operational tankers following in 2015.