Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said Monday Pentagon officials “are disappointed” by Northrop Grumman’s decision to withdraw from the Air Force’s KC-X tanker contest (see Opting Out above). Further, he said the Defense Department still thinks the KC-X competition is “structured fairly” and that “both companies could compete effectively.” Meanwhile, Boeing, which is now ostensibly the sole bidder, “remains 100 percent focused … and intends to submit a fully responsive, transparent, and competitive proposal,” said company spokesman Bill Barksdale. (Lynn statement) (Boeing statement) (See also EADS North America release)
Defense experts say the drone threat represents only part of a larger, looming problem: U.S. air bases in the Pacific are increasingly vulnerable to air attacks.