NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced this morning that the Air Force will run the much coveted $35 billion KC-X next-generation tanker program. Numerous Air Force and industry officials have speculated for several weeks that Gates would state that he was returning acquisition authority to the air service during his address at an Air Force Association-sponsored conference today. The announcement during the defense secretary's keynote address was met by applause by current Air Force officials and the...
