L-3 keeps door open on tanker work

L-3 Communications is open to joining the rematch to build aerial tankers for the Air Force, despite halting talks in April with EADS. Chief Executive Michael Strianese said conditions had not been right at that time. "The door is still open if EADS wants to talk in the future, or Boeing for that matter," Strianese told the Reuters Aerospace and Defense Summit in Washington on Thursday. (Source: Reuters, 09/10/10) Gulf Coast note: EADS and Boeing are competing to build the planes in a contract worth $40 billion. An award is expected in the fall. EADS wants to assemble the planes in Mobile, Ala.