Larson Responds to Latest Tanker Bid News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2010

CONTACT: Emily Barocas/202-225-7295

LARSON RESPONDS TO LATEST TANKER BID NEWS

Washington, DC – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after news broke that Northrop Grumman was backing out of the competition to build the KC-X aerial tanker.

"The men and women of Pratt & Whitney build the most highly advanced aircraft engines in the world.  I believe, and have since the beginning of the process to award to KC-X Tanker contract, that it is vitally important that we keep the jobs and skills to manufacture these planes in the U.S. and particularly in Connecticut.  Today's decision by Northrop Grumman to withdraw from the competition will likely expedite the program and get tankers into the field sooner. It's now more important than ever for Congress and the Pentagon to ensure that no additional delays arise.  This process has been ongoing for more than a decade and as a result some of the tankers currently in use will be more than 50 years old when they are replaced.  Our airmen deserve a new tanker."

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