Gates: No Modifications To KC-X RFP (Updated)

UPDATED 2:25 PM: Pentagon officials said that DOD has not yet changed the May 10 deadline for KC-X bids. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the House Appropriations defense subcommittee this morning that DOD will not modify the request for proposals for the KC-X competition, which EADS executives and their former U.S. partner Northrop Grumman believe favor a small aircraft, tilting the competition to rival Boeing. Pentagon officials have previously said DOD would consider extending the deadline in order to encourage European defense giant EADS to participate in the potential $35 billion competition.