Flight International online news 10:30GMT: Defence contractor Northrop Grumman has selected Mobile, Alabama as the site of its production centre for the KC-30 - its entrant in the competition for the the U.S. Air Force's next-generation air refueling tanker programme.
Northrop Grumman is entering the competition for contract as the prime contractor with EADS North America as their principal sub-contractor.
The Northrop Grumman KC-30 is based on the successful Airbus A330 commercial aircraft, currently in production.
The KC-30 production facility would be located adjacent to the EADS North America facility proposed for Mobile's Brookley Downtown Airport.
"The choice of Mobile is a natural," said Marty Dandridge, vice president and KC-30 program director for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "We believe co-location with the airframe-manufacturing facility has strong potential to streamline our manufacturing process as well as extend Northrop Grumman's presence in the Gulf Coast states. "
The defence contractors says the KC-30 tanker will be tailored to meet Air Force requirements and provide a robust mission-enabling capability.
ROSS BENTLEY/LONDON
Source: Flight International