EADS says the Airbus A330 tanker transport marked a new development milestone when it was refueled by a French Air Force C-135. In two sorties the C-135 made 20 contacts with a Royal Australian Air Force A330. The A330 is the platform that Northrop Grumman plans to use for the KC-45, which is competing against the Boeing KC-767 to provide tankers for the U.S. Air Force. (Source: EADS, 04/28/09) Gulf Coast note: EADS North America and Northrop Grumman plan to assemble the tankers in Mobile, Ala., if they win the contract.
