Boeing to offer 767

Boeing said today that it will offer a 767-based aerial refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force's multibillion-dollar competition, according to Reuters. The 767 will have an updated digital flight deck and a fly-by-wire refueling boom. Boeing said the tanker would meet all the Air Force's 372 requirements and offered a low-risk manufacturing option. Dow Jones Newswires reports Boeing will present a proposal by May. 10. There's no word yet on whether the Northrop Grumman/EADS team, which said the current rules favor the smaller Boeing plane, will bid. (Sources: Reuters, 03/04/10) Gulf Coast note: The Northrop/EADS team wants to assemble the planes in Mobile, Ala.