Splitting the work to supply new aerial tankers between Boeing and Northrop Grumman would likely increase the Air Force’s costs of developing the new aircraft by around $7 billion to $14 billion in just over the next five years, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters at Ft. Rucker, Ala., April 14, 2009. Here, Gates talks to students at Air University on the grounds of Maxwell AFB, Ala., on the following day during his tour of each service’s war college.
DOD photo by Air Force MSgt. Jerry Morrison
