Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has jumped on the tanker bandwagon, saying—in a Boeing release—that St. Louis-based Boeing “is ready and able to deliver the US Air Force’s next-generation tanker.” Boeing reveals that the state of Illinois would see about $140 million a year in economic activity if Boeing wins the Air Force’s KC-X aerial refueling aircraft replacement program. Alabama elected officials have met with Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne to ensure fair consideration for the Northrop Grumman-EADS North America team, which plans to produce its KC-30 tanker in Alabama should it win the competition.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
