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The U.S. Air Force (USAF) appears to be quite unlucky in facing a number of challenges ranging from misdirected documents, software delays and artillery fire. The crisis between North Korea and South Korea is another major cause of worry for the USAF as it has a substantial number of assets in the area.

The mix-up by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) of the KC-X tanker contract by providing rival information details to the rival competitor is bound to lead to a protest by competitors Boeing and EADS. The chances of the contract being awarded in early 2011 also now appear quite remote.

EADS and Boeing are conducting an intense public debate over their efforts to secure the U.S. military's US$35 million tanker contract in November 2010. EADS has offered the KC-45, a variant of its A330-200 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, while Boeing asserts its modified version of the KC-767 would be a cheaper alternative.

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) on September 16, 2010 issued a request for proposals (RfP) to EADS, Rosoboronexport, and Boeing for the purchase of six tanker/transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The service had previously selected the Airbus Military A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) as the preferred platform, but the Finance Ministry overruled the purchase due to its high cost.

A decision by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is to shortly take place regarding a complaint by U.S. Aerospace, a disqualified bidder in the KC-X contract. The claim is that the U.S. Air Force (USAF) intentionally delayed the receipt of the proposal by the company by 5 minutes thereby eliminating it from the bid.

Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia stated August 2010 that the U.S. Trade Representative's appeal of the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against Airbus would not affect the Pentagon's KC-X contest. The WTO ruling states that Boeing lost significant market share to Airbus partly because subsidies provided by EU governments allowed the European aircraft maker to lower its prices.

Boeing first got a deal in 2001 to supply the U.S. Department of Defense with 100 new tankers but this deal did not push through due to procurement rules. EADS also made a bid after that now the Pentagon says they will decide on the bids by the end of 2010. The 10-year gap just highlights the inaction of the government.

Defense contractor US Aerospace Inc announced July 2010 that it would collaborate with Ukraine's Antonov to bid for the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) KC-X tanker contract. Defense analyst Richard Aboulafia noted that US Aerospace had major financial difficulties and that the bid for three models for the KC-X competition was unlikely to meet USAF requirements.

The final bids for the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) KC-X tanker refueling competition are in and the USAF is now reviewing the bids. The two bidders for the competition are Boeing and EADS North America; however, grumbling between the two over unfair advantage being given continues.

The fight by Boeing asking the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to be more clear regarding the issue of subsidies goes far beyond the scope of the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) KC-X tanker refueling competition. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has also recently ruled that subsidies had given EADS an unfair advantage.

The article discusses the benefits offered by the Inslee-Tiahrt amendment patterned after the Fair Defense Competition Act that makes it compulsory for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to consider any potentially unfair competitive advantage being offered to any of the bidders in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) KC-X tanker refueling competition.

Boeing and EADS, both competing for the US$35 billion KC-X tanker contract, have accused each other of lying in an effort to win a public relations campaign for their respective aircraft before the July 2010 bid deadline. EADS claims Boeing's aircraft is an unproven design, while Boeing has raised national security concerns over giving the contract to a European company.

Boeing and EADS, the two rivals in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) tanker refueling competition continuing making digs at each other, while U.S. lawmakers are asking the Pentagon to ensure that no unfair competitive advantage is being given to anyone.

The U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) KC-X tanker refueling competition appears to be quite a thriller with the contest entering the third season. The competition has now shifted from being a military to a political one with different parties supporting different competitors.

The article discusses the KC-X tanker refueling competition of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the challenges that remain before the Pentagon and U.S. lawmakers on deciding the future course of action. The need for lawmakers as well as Pentagon to consider all the strategic implications of its decision before coming to any conclusion is highlighted.

EADS North America has decided to go ahead with a bid for the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) KC-X tanker refueling contest after partner Northrop Grumman opted out claiming USAF was favoring rival Boeing. EADS is looking at several options regarding partners for the contest.

Pentagon has confirmed that changes are being made to the KC-X tanker contest request for proposals (RfP) in compliance with new acquisition laws. However, the changes have nothing to do with any of the 372 performance requirements in the RfP.

Many US defense firms are unwilling to partner with EADS for the KC-X tanker refueling competition by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). EADS was left to search for a partner after earlier partner Northrop Grumman left the contest claiming that USAF was being partial towards the other competitor Boeing.

EADS has been given time by the decision of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to extend the deadline for the KC-X tanker refueling competition. EADS has said that it will consider a proposal; however, EADS would have been happier with a 90-day deadline instead of a 60-day one.

The article discusses the different options that are available for EADS following the extension of the KC-X tanker competition deadline date given by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). EADS partner Northrop Grumman withdrew claiming unfair partiality towards Boeing.

The Northrop Grumman/EADS has denied supplying the new refueling tankers to the US Air Force. The reaction of the various EU competition authorities on the recent decision taken by the company is also discussed.

The withdrawal of Northrop Grumman from the US Air Force's competition of building new aerial refueling tanker is discussed. Robert Gates, the US Secretary of Defense is shown to be extremely disappointed by company's decision.

Boeing, for the KC-X tanker competition of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), has decided to select a 767-based design NewGen Tanker with a new refueling boom and a flight deck based on the 787 airliners. Boeing is making the changes following failure to win the 2008 tanker competition, which was awarded to the Northrop Grumman/EADS team.

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has finally released the request for proposal (RfP) for its controversial KC-X tanker acquisition program. However, doubts continue over whether Northrop Grumman/EADS will continue in the contest or leave the sole bidder to be Boeing.

Northrop Grumman/EADS are contemplating whether they should withdraw from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) KC-X tanker contest. The new request for proposals (RfP) does not appear from the earlier one and has not brought about the changes that were asked for.

The US Air Force (USAF) has decided to stick to its plan of awarding a fixed-price KC-X tanker contract, which has raised concerns from potential bidders, Boeing, Northrop Grumman that had partnered with EADS. The final request for proposals (RfP) is expected by the end of February, 2010 and the contract will be awarded in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Boeing has announced the delivery of the fourth and final KC-767 aerial refueling tanker to Japan. Boeing is now looking to offer the KC-767 aerial refueling tanker to the US Air Force (USAF) for its tanker refueling competition, once the request for proposals (RfP)) is issued end of January 2010.

Pentagon officials are keeping a close watch on how the U.S. Air Force (USAF) KC-X tanker aircraft replacement contest proceeds. Air Force officials have generally kept a low profile, but that is only because they want to ensure that everything is done correctly and no controversies are created.

Misunderstandings still continue to cloud and hamper the process of choosing and selecting a new U.S. Air Force (USAF) tanker. The two rivals for the tanker competition are the same old rivals Boeing and EADS North America/Northrop Grumman that have been having problems from earlier on.

The likelihood of there appearing to be some conclusion of the investigation by the World Trade Organization (WTO) of charges of illegal European subsidies to Airbus does not appear likely in the near future. However, all issues will probably be resolved before the awarding of the tanker contract by the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

EADS North America has revealed that winning the refueling tanker competition for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) is a major part of the companyEs strategic plans for U.S. markets. However, EADS along with partner Northrop Grumman are still unsure of competing keeping in mind the favoritism being meted out to rival Boeing.

The aircraft manufacturer Northrop Grumman will not be submitting a bid to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for the KC-X refueling tanker program unless the DoD's draft request for proposals (RfP) is changed. Officials are complaining that the current RfP structure is favoring Boeing, its competitor company for the program bid.

Northrop Grumman/EADS North America has decided not to bid for the US Air Force (USAF's) KC-135 tanker competition. The main reason being cited for this appears to be seen as a ploy rather than as an end to its ambition to win back the deal to rebuild the air refuelers.

The author comments on Northrop Grumman's refusal to compete for the Pentagon's tanker contract, based on its objections to the Defense Department's fixed price terms and a request for proposal that is biased toward rival Boeing. He argues that while the Northrop Grumman has the right to reject the competition, the Pentagon appears to have found a sole-source contractor in Boeing simply by forcing out the competitor.

Defense analysts assert defense giant Northrop Grumman's threat to skip a multibillion-dollar aerial tanker competition could lead to a sole-source agreement with rival firm Boeing. The deal will resolve a decade-long battle over replacement of the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) KC-135 refueling planes.

Unhappiness expressed by bidders over the request for proposal (rFp) for the KC-X 135 tanker refueling contest of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has led to changes to the plan that are top be declared shortly. Boeing plans to offer its 767- or 777-based tanker while the other competitor Northrop Grumman/EADS is offering its European designed Airbus A330.

Northrop Grumman is all set to try anything including legal action against Boeing for making it reveal their pricing information, which is of vital importance in the bidding for the US Air Force's (USAF's) aerial refueling tanker competition. The main reason for worry by Northrop Grumman is that the KC-X contract focuses more on price rather than both cost and capabilities.

The request for proposal (RfP) sent out by the U.S. Air Force (USA) for the KC-X tanker refueling contract has once again become controversial. Both competitors Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS are claiming unfair charges with Boeing wanting the WTO claim of EADS having received illegal subsidies are included and Northrop claiming that disclosure about its proposal to Boeing was unfair.

The decision over the controversial U.S. Air Force tanker refueling contest continued to be the main topic of discussion at the 2009 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition. Some other issues that are clouding the deal are the preliminary ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that Airbus received illegal subsidies from four European countries as well as vacancy of key defense positions.

The US Air Force (USAF) is planning to again revive the controversial KC-X refueling tanker competition and is planning to issue a request for proposal (RfP) for the same. The USAF says that it is now all set with the evaluation criteria so that no controversy arises this time.

The U.S. House Appropriations defense Committee despite several bold rhetoric, has decided to leave the decision on the aerial tanker contract to the Department of Defense (DoD), The decision on how to proceed further has been left to the Defense Secretary, Robert Gates and his subordinates.

The U.S. lawmakers and Congress is contemplating splitting of the multibillion dollar contract to buy new US Air Force (USAF) aerial refueling tankers between two contractors. The two contractors are Boeing and EADS/Northrop Grumman; however, US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates is not in favor of the split.

The two rivals Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS are both waiting in anticipation for the request for proposal (RfP) for the US Air Force's (USAF's) refueling tanker contest. Boeing is working at developing its 777 aircraft for this purpose, while on the other hand, Northrop Grumman/EADS are hoping that high fuel offload will be an important part of the contract.

Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS North America, the two contenders for the U.S. Air Force (WAF) contract for refueling of tankers. This is the third attempt by USAF to select a new design, with the first one awarded to the Northrop team cancelled after Boeing protested, and the second halted due for a 'cool off' by U.S. Defense Secretary, Robert Gates.

The former secretary of the U.S. Air Force Mike Wynne offers his reasons for supporting the splitting of the order for the USD35 billion KC-X tankers program between competing teams of Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS. This could eliminate another protest by the parties in interest thereby avoiding further acquisition delays.

The delay in the delivery of the KC-X tanker may force the U.S. Air Force to hire private companies for aerial refueling missions in non-combat zones. The Navy and Marine Corps are already using the services of a private contractor for the purpose.

Two U.S. senators are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to decide immediately on the award for the U.S. Air Force refueling tanker contract. They believe that an urgent need to replace the USAF's aging tanker fleet will have to be considered, and the abeyance of the contract in 2008 will have to be revoked.

Michael Wynne, the former Secretary of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has said that the decision to uphold the protest by Boeing over the awarding of the KC-X tanker contract was majorly influenced by Congress. These charges have been denied by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Boeing appealed the decision of the USAF to award a $35 billion contract to Northrop Grumman for an airtanker for the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense decided to run a second competition after the GAO determined that the first contract was flawed. Investment advice for the shares of companies within the aerospace and defense industry is provided.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) endorsed the Boeing' s protest against the decision of USAF to grant the US Air Force's USD35 billion KC-X tanker contract to the Northrop Grumman/ EADS team. Boeing has asked for more time to draft the new proposal for the contract and if it is not granted, the firm may withdraw itself from the contract.