Defense Secretary Robert Gates told House defense appropriators Wednesday that the Pentagon has no plans to amend the Air Force’s KC-X tanker solicitation in the hopes of securing a bid from European aerospace giant EADS, parent of aircraft maker Airbus. EADS has indicated that it is considering re-entering the tanker fray as a prime offeror after Northrop Grumman dropped its plans to lead a team with EADS to bid on the tanker contract (see Exploratory Talks below). But it has also said the Air Force’s requirements are still skewed against the type of A330-based tanker that EADS could offer. Regardless, “We do not intend to change the [tanker] requirements,” said Gates, when asked about EADS during his testimony.
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.
