Northrop Grumman officials say they need more time to review the final tanker replacement program request for proposals issued by the Air Force yesterday before they can determine whether the Northrop-EADS KC-30 is in or out. However, Associated Press reports that, even though the company needs more time, Wall Street industry analyst Colin Crook of UBS Investment Research, believes the Air Force has found the right measures to ensure Northrop stays in the running.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
