EADS Relooks Tanker

EADS released a statement this morning saying it will assess the "new situation" surrounding the request for proposals for the Air Force tanker program.

Yesterday, the Defense Department "indicated it would welcome a proposal from EADS North America as prime contractor for the KC-X tanker competition," the company said. "This is a significant development. EADS is assessing this new situation to determine if the company can feasibly submit a responsive proposal” to RFP.

While this development is "a positive sign that the DOD seeks competition, it does not address EADS’ underlying concerns that the RFP clearly favors a smaller, less capable aircraft, and that the additional combat capability offered by our system may not be fully valued," EADS said.

"An important prerequisite for our consideration of entry into this competition will be a significant extension to the period within which to prepare and submit a proposal," the statement continues. "EADS welcomes the DOD’s recent statement which indicated a willingness to extend the timeframe. Though this is essential, it is only one factor in making a decision for EADS to compete. In the end, the company will only submit a proposal if there is a fair chance to win, after evaluating all relevant factors."