EADS reconsiders tanker contest

EADS may be interested in having the Pentagon extend the deadline for bids for the Air Force tanker competition. Defense News reported Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell saying DoD "has received notification from EADS North America indicating possible interest in competing for the Air Force's KC-X tanker and we would welcome that." The Mobile Press-Register said EADS, in a statement Friday morning, said it was "assessing this new situation." Last week EADS and partner Northrop Grumman said they were dropping out of the competition on grounds the rules favor the smaller tanker from rival Boeing. May 10 is the deadline for bids. (Sources: Defense News, 03/18/10; Mobile Press-Register, 03/19/10) Gulf Coast note: Northrop Grumman, Alabama and Mobile-area governments have ended their incentives agreements on a site at Brookley Field where the companies planned to build an assembly plant.