If Northrop wins, the program would be administered through Northrop's Aerospace Systems sector in El Segundo.
Boeing open to split contract on $35B tanker dealWASHINGTON (AP) -- Boeing Co.'s top defense executive said Wednesday the company will support splitting a $35 billion contract with rival Northrop Grumman Corp. for new Air Force refueling jets if the Pentagon chooses that approach.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to try again this summer to award a contract to build 179 new tankers, the latest attempt after a series of failed tries. Some lawmakers have proposed buying planes from both Boeing and Northrop to speed up production and defuse the heated rivalry between the two big defense contractors. Gates doesn't endorse that plan.
Jim Albaugh, head of Boeing's defense unit, said it appeared the Pentagon will use a winner-take-all competition to build the plane. But the Chicago-based company will support any shift to a split contract, he added.
"We are going to support whatever type of acquisition that our customer wants to put in place," Albaugh said in a phone interview.
Read more on the aerial refueling tanker.
the problem with the split with boeing is
boeing is alway behind on their programs
Nortrop Won the contract the firtst time.