Ukranian aircraft manufacturer Antonov and partner U.S. Aerospace Inc. of California plan to bid on the Air Force tanker project. Boeing and EADS are the other two bidders for the $40 billion project. Executives of the companies signed a pact July 1 spelling out the terms of a partnership. The American company will act as the prime contractor of a team that will enter up to three Antonov aircraft into contest to build up to 179 tankers for the Air Force. Bids are due July 9. (Sources: Multiple, including
Mobile Press Register,
Reuters,
Defense News, 07/02/10)
Gulf Coast note: EADS plans to assemble its tankers in Mobile, Ala.
