Northrop Grumman Remains Under Air Force Contract; Ready Now with America's New Tanker

"We respect the GAO process and are confident the Air Force will appropriately address its recommendations," said Paul Meyer, Northrop Grumman vice president of Air Mobility Systems and KC-45 program manager. "However, the GAO report does not change the fact that a new fleet of tankers is needed now, and Northrop Grumman is ready now," said Meyer. "Northrop Grumman remains under contract and remains ready to serve with the most modern, most capable tanker in the world."

"Any significant delay only punishes the men and women who are forced to fly an aging fleet," he added.

On the floor ofthe United States Senate, yesterday,Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions said that it is critical "that politics not infect the process and that they select the best aircraft for the military."

Nothing in the GAO report points to any need for delay, as it was a review of the process, not the Boeing and Northrop Grumman product offerings. As the GAO said in its initial release, "Our decision should not be read to reflect a view as to the merits of the firms' respective aircraft."

"We agree and, in fact, Northrop Grumman is the only company in this competition that has built, tested and flown its tanker aircraft," said Meyer, adding, "We're also the only company that has a refueling boom that has been built and that has successfully passed fuel dozens of times to combat aircraft."

"The Air Force needs a new tanker, and nothing in the GAO report refutes the fact that the Northrop Grumman KC-45 is the most capable tanker and is ready now to go into production," he added.

"Our men and women in uniform should not be asked to wait any longer."

About the KC-45

The KC-45 Tanker aircraft will be assembled inMobile, Ala., and the KC-45 team will employ 48,000 American workers at 230 U.S. companies in 49 states. It will be built by a world-class industrial team led by Northrop Grumman, and includes EADS North America, General Electric Aviation and Sargent Fletcher.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation

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