Antonov in the race for U.S. tanker planes: "Antonov is in a $29.5 billion race to become a supplier of refueling tanker aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, which would make military and political history if implemented.
Boeing and European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. are already in the contest for the giant contract. In 2008, EADS and Northrop Grumman won the contract to build the tankers but, after Boeing protested, the military began the bidding process all over again.
News of Antonov's potential participation in the venture came after U.S. Aerospace, Inc., a U.S. aerospace and defense contractor, announced that it has submitted a bid to the Air Force to supply 179 aerial refueling tankers at $150 million per plane, with a total bid package of $29.55 billion. That amount includes research and development costs.
The aircraft components will be built by Antonov in Ukraine with final assembly of the planes by U.S. Aerospace, Inc. in the United States, the company said."
