Responding to Tuesday’s news that EADS North America does intend to compete the Airbus A330 for the KC-X tanker program, Boeing said in an April 20 statement: “Only Boeing can produce a tanker that will meet the Air Force’s 372 requirements and promise delivery of a combat-ready, safe, and survivable tanker that is the most capable for the warfighter, the lowest cost for the taxpayer, and backed by Boeing’s proven US work force.” EADS North America officials said Tuesday that Boeing’s entrant would cost more because it’s an unproven design compared to the already developed Airbus tanker. Boeing noted that its NewGen Tanker is based on the proven Boeing 767 and would be built using “a low-risk approach to manufacturing that relies on existing Boeing facilities in Washington state and Kansas.” If it wins, EADS North America plans to build a final assembly plant in Alabama.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.