Tanker: Fueling Up

EADS reached a critical milestone last week when one of its Airbus A330-based tankers passed fuel at a 12,000 gallon-per minute rate, according to a top company official.

The in-flight transfer happened last week, according to Ralph Crosby, chairman of EADS North America.

Crosby's comments -- made during a breakfast meeting with reporters at an Air Force Association-sponsored conference in National Harbor, MD -- come as the Air Force is evaluating bids from EADS and Boeing in the service's KC-X next-generation tanker competition.

The 12,000 gallon-per minute transfer rate is one of more than 370 requirements in the Air Force KC-X competition.

Because bids for the competition are already in, the company could only tout the accomplishment to the Air Force in final proposal revisions, should the service ask for them.