Published:
Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision
WASHINGTON, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northrop Grumman Corporation
(NYSE: NOC) said, today, that it continues to support the United States Air
Force and looks forward to its next steps regarding the direction of the KC-45
tanker program. This follows today's public release of the full Government
Accountability Office (GAO) analysis of the original tanker contract award to
Northrop Grumman.
"The document makes clear that the GAO's issues with the contract do not
reflect on the tankers' capabilities. In fact, in several areas key to the
selection decision the GAO found no basis to object to the Air Force
evaluation," said Paul Meyer, Northrop Grumman vice president of Air Mobility
Systems and KC-45 program manager. "We look forward to a prompt assessment
from the Air Force concerning what happens next."
On Feb. 29, the Air Force selected Northrop Grumman to provide the next
generation of aerial refueling tanker, the KC-45. The Air Force has an urgent
need to replace its aging tanker fleet.
"The KC-45 is needed now, and Northrop Grumman is ready now to provide
it," said Meyer. "Should the Air Force choose to proceed with our existing
contract, we are ready to get to work. Northrop Grumman offered the superior
tanker and nothing in the GAO analysis contradicts this essential truth.
"Northrop Grumman remains the only company in this competition that has
built, tested and flown its plane. In addition, our refueling boom has just
completed its 100th flight test. At this point, our competitor has offered
only a paper plane," Meyer said. "For our men and women in uniform, the most
important thing is to field the new tanker as soon as possible. Only Northrop
Grumman is ready to do that."
About the KC-45
The KC-45 Tanker aircraft will be assembled inMobile, Ala. --
establishingMobile as the new cornerstone of the Southern Aerospace Corridor.
The program will employ 48,000 American workers at 230 U.S. companies in 49
states; and 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
Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
Daily NewsTags: Aerospace and defense, Aviation and Airlines, district of columbia, Alabama
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