It looked like Boeing had the Air Force refueling tanker deal locked up, after Northrop backed out of competition for the contract. Don't uncork the celebratory champaign just yet, boys - competition is back in the mix, and from an unlikely source at that: United Aircraft of Moscow plans to offer a modified version of its Illyushin II-96 plane, which would be assembled in the USA by an American partner.
The company, owned by the Russian government, faces significant barriers, but they believe that the II-96 meets all RFP requirements at a price that can beat Boeing. The irony of Air Force and Navy fighter jets being refueled by Russian tankers is just unbeatable.
