Tanker still top priority

ORLANDO, Fla. - Aerial tankers remain the Air Force's top priority and the competition could be completed within a year, according to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley. The tankers are needed to replace KC-135s. Donley, speaking at a military conference sponsored by the Air Force Association, said Defense Secretary Robert Gates expects to issue a new request for bids this spring. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 02/27/09) Gen. Duncan McNabb, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, told a joint hearing of the seapower and air and land forces subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee that the tanker is his No. 1 modernization priority, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal. Boeing is competing against Northrop Grumman/EADS, which wants to construct an assembly plant in Mobile, Ala., to build the planes.