EADS North America to submit KC-X tanker proposal one day early

48,000 American workers ready to build KC-45

(Arlington, Virginia, July 8, 2010) -- EADS North America today will submit its proposal in the United States Air Force KC-X aerial refueling tanker competition, a day ahead of the July 9 deadline. The 8,800+ page proposal details the unequalled capabilities of the EADS North America KC-45, which is fully responsive to the U.S. Air Force Request for Proposal (RFP), and will be built in the U.S. by 48,000 Americans.

"We're proud of our offering, which is the only one in this competition that is flying and refuelling today, including a full array of receiver aircraft," said EADS North America Chairman Ralph Crosby. "The Air Force will select the tanker that best meets the American warfighters' requirements. We are anxious to conclude the acquisition process and are confident in the superior capabilities of the KC-45."

The KC-45, based on the commercially successful A330, will be assembled in a new manufacturing facility to be built in Mobile, Alabama, which will also produce Airbus commercial freighter aircraft - more than doubling the aircraft production that the tanker alone would bring. "We're also pleased that our significant industrial investment will provide an economic boost to the struggling Gulf Coast region," said Crosby.

The KC-45 will also create and support jobs across a supplier base of more than 200 American companies. Along with prime contractor EADS North America, the KC-45 industry supplier team includes many trusted providers of equipment and services for America's warfighters, including:

-- EATON (actuators, pumps, valves, nozzles and other aerial refueling equipment)
-- GE Aviation (engines and systems)
-- Goodrich Corporation (various aircraft systems)
-- Hamilton Sundstrand (generators, turbines and related systems)
-- Honeywell (communications and navigation systems and other aircraft components)
-- Moog Inc. (flight control systems)
-- Parker Aerospace (aerial refueling receptacles, hydraulic system equipment, fluid conveyance products and fuel components)
-- Rockwell Collins (electronics)
-- Triumph Aerostructures - Vought Aircraft Division (wing structures)

The reliability and performance of the KC-45 and its refueling systems has been validated by over 1,000 boom/hose-and-drogue contacts and refuelings involving a wide range of aircraft, including F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, E-3 AWACS and other A330 tankers. The KC-45 is the U.S. Air Force configuration of the Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, which has been selected by four allied nations, winning every head-to-head competition against Boeing tankers. The KC-45 carries more fuel, cargo and passengers over greater ranges than the NewGen aircraft concept that Boeing has described as its offering to the Air Force. To learn more about the KC-45 and see video of airborne refueling operations, visit www.kc-45now.com.

Source : European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (Paris: EAD.PA) - click here for more information