Statement of Northrop Grumman on the KC-X Tanker Replacement Program Decision

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The following is the statement of Brandon R. "Randy" Belote, III, Northrop Grumman vice president, Strategic Communications, in response to today's decision terminating the current KC-X tanker competition:

"We are extremely disappointed at the decision to terminate the current tanker competition, especially on behalf of our men and women in uniform who will now be denied a critically needed new tanker for years.

"The Department of Defense, as recently as last week, stated the urgency to replace the Eisenhower-era fleet of refueling tankers. With this delay, it is conceivable that our warfighters will be forced to fly tankers as old as 80 years of age."

Northrop Grumman entered this competition in good faith and proposed the most modern, most capable tanker available, at the best value to the American taxpayer. While we understand, we are greatly concerned about the potential future implications for the defense acquisition process.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide. 

DATASOURCE: Northrop Grumman Corporation



CONTACT:  Randy Belote of Northrop Grumman Corporation, [phone],





Web site:  http://www.northropgrumman.com/ 

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