The Defense Acquisition Board has set Feb. 13 as the date to review the Air Force’s decision on the KC-X tanker replacement program, reports Flight International. Announcement of the winner would come within 10 days afterward, industry sources tell FI. The war of words has continued even after the two competitors—Boeing and Northrop Grumman-EADS—turned in their proposals. Most recently EADS said it would use a proposed KC-X plant in Alabama to build a commercial airlifter, boosting the projected economic gain to the region. While, Boeing touted a commissioned report that found its proposed tanker would be more fuel-efficient than the Northrop-EADS aircraft.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.