No decision has been made about whether to extend the May 10 deadline for industry to turn in proposals to win the Air Force’s KC-X tanker contract, Gen. Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, said Tuesday during an Air Force Association-sponsored Air Force Breakfast Series presentation in Arlington, Va. However, Schwartz voiced his concurrence with Pentagon spokesmen who’ve said that competition for the KC-X contract is desirable and an extension might be worthwhile. “A modest extension would serve that purpose,” he asserted. Boeing definitely intends to bid. EADS, parent of European aircraft maker Airbus, is mulling whether to submit a proposal in the wake of the pullout in early March of its planned KC-X partner, Northrop Grumman. Reuters wire service reported Tuesday that EADS will decide within the next several weeks. Schwartz said if EADS is “serious” about bidding, the Defense Department would “carefully” consider an extension.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…