McCain questions tanker rules

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John McCain has raised concerns about the Pentagon's latest attempt to replace its fleet of KC-135 tankers. In an Oct. 29 letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, McCain asked detailed questions about how bids for the program would be evaluated, how decisions were made about requirements for the new airplanes and whether the new rules would favor mostly smaller airplanes. A copy of the letter was obtained by Reuters. (Source: Reuters, 11/10/09) Gulf Coast note: If the Northrop Grumman/EADS team wins the tanker competition, the planes will be assembled in Mobile, Ala.