By Marina Malenic
EADS North America will not compete for the U.S. presidential aircraft fleet replacement contract, the company said yesterday.
“EADS North America’s strategy for growth in the U.S. is based on bringing value to the U.S. warfighter; making industrial investments in the U.S. and high technology defense and aerospace jobs,” a company press statement said. “After careful review, we’ve determined that participation in the AF-1 program will not help us meet these business objectives.”
In 2007, the company provided technical information and answered questions regarding several Airbus widebody commercial aircraft as the Air Force conducted its Analysis of Alternatives to recapitalize the fleet.
“Though the company will not respond to this [request for information], we remain focused on once again winning the KC-X [aerial refueling tanker] competition with Northrop Grumman, delivering the UH-72A [Light Utility Helicopter] to the U.S. Army and meeting the needs of our US defense and homeland security customers,” the company said.
The RFI is the first step in the acquisition of a replacement for the Boeing 747-200-based VC-25 fleet.
The Air Force plans to purchase three replacement aircraft, according to the document. The service is seeking a commercial widebody aircraft. Boeing [BA] is now the only likely supplier remaining, with its 767, 777, 787 and 747-8 the likely candidate platforms.
The two Boeing VC-25s currently in the fleet have been in service since 1990. One will be replaced in FY ’17, the second in FY ’19. A third aircraft would be added in FY ’21, according to the acquisition strategy.