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Issue 40 - March 3, 2008

In this issue of the EADS North America Tanker Activity Update:

U.S. Air Force selects the Northrop Grumman-led industrial team to supply KC-45A tankers

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected to modernize the U.S. Air Force’s aerial refueling fleet with the KC-45A tanker aircraft.  The KC-45A is based on EADS’ highly-successful A330 commercial jetliner and is derived from the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport.

The USAF's initial KC-45A agreement with Northrop Grumman provides for four System Design and Development aircraft, and is valued at $1.5 billion.  Ultimately, the U.S. Air Force plans to contract for the development and procurement of up to 179 tanker aircraft.

EADS North America is the partner to Northrop Grumman on the new tanker, with responsibility for assembling airframes and providing completed flight-qualified aircraft and refueling subsystems.

The first KC-45A airframe completed its initial flight on Sept. 25, 2007 and will now begin military conversion to the tanker configuration. EADS’ Aerial Refueling Boom System for the KC-45A currently is in flight test and has successfully performed numerous in-flight contacts with receiver aircraft.

In announcing its decision, the Air Force underscored the "best value" determination used to select a winner for the recapitalization of its aerial refueling fleet.  This was based on five factors: mission capability, proposal risk, past performance, cost/price and an integrated fleet air refueling assessment.

The KC-45A’s selection by USAF is the latest win in a series of worldwide competitions, confirming that the EADS-based A330 MRTT military tanker is the best solution for next-generation aerial refueling aircraft. Following its purchase first by the Royal Australian Air Force, the A330 MRTT has been officially ordered by the Royal Saudi Air Force and the UAE Air Force & Air Defense, as well as selected by the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force.

Contact:
Guy Hicks
Vice President – Communications and Public Relations
EADS North America
Tel: 703 236-3300
e-mail: guy.hicks@eads-na.com