Russian CEO denies tanker bid

Russia's United Aircraft Corp. isn't planning to bid for the tanker program, Chief Executive Officer Alexei Fyodorov told Bloomberg. Both the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post reported the maker of Ilyushin transports planned to bid, citing John Kirkland, an attorney in Los Angeles who represents the group. Fyodorov said he wasn't familiar with Kirkland. For his part, Kirkland said it's either a huge misunderstanding or the Russians not wanting to confirm a plan until something is officially announced. Kirkland had said something would be announced Monday. He provided the Mobile Press-Register with copies of correspondence between his firm and United Aircraft in addition to incorporation papers for a U.S. subsidiary, UAC America Inc., formed to pursue the tanker contract. (Source: Bloomberg via BusinessWeek, Mobile Press-Register, 03/21/10)