Boeing and EADS North America have until Feb. 11 to submit their best and final offers for supplying KC-X tankers to the Air Force, according to press reports. Each company is vying for the rights to build up to 179 KC-X tanker aircraft. They will replace the service’s oldest KC-135s that average about 50 years in age. Reuters reported that both companies had separate meetings with Air Force acquisition officials on Monday in preparation for turning in their final proposal revisions. Each company confirmed Feb. 11 as the due date, reports Bloomberg.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
