Sean O’Keefe, head of EADS’s North American operations, said Tuesday he hasn’t seen indications yet that the Air Force desires major technological improvements in the new KC-X tanker over what it already possesses in the KC-135. “The current draft request for proposals is not a tanker modernization program, it is just a replacement program,” O’Keefe told journalists, reported the New York Times (may require free registration). EADS is Northrop Grumman’s principal teammate in trying to secure the KC-X contract. O’Keefe reiterated that the language in the draft solicitation places the Northrop team at a disadvantage since it would not properly assess the capability of the team’s KC-30 tanker design that goes beyond the baseline requirements. He repeated the team’s threat not to submit a bid unless the final version of the RFP, due for release within weeks, reflects changes that give would his team a “fair” chance.
Alaskan Command Girds for Threats
Aug. 9, 2022
Lt. Gen. David A. Krumm wears many hats as the commander of U.S. Northern Command's Alaskan Command, of 11th Air Force, and of North American Aerospace Defense Command's Alaskan Region. Krumm, who is set to retire, has served as the senior military leader in Alaska since April 2020. In a July interview, Krumm…