The Air Force plans to unveil its final request for proposals in the tanker replacement program this week, according to a statement issued late Friday. The service could still make its notional January deadline. Whether the RFP will alleviate Northrop Grumman’s concerns is unclear, although the service says the RFP will include “specific factors for assessing the capability contribution of each offeror, i.e. Boeing and the Northrop-EADS team. As a final word, the statement says the Air Force “is committed to a full and open competition.”
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.