LOS ANGELES, July 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Aerospace Inc. announced Tuesday it has joined with Antonov to bid to supply the U.S. Air Force with aerial refueling tankers.
The aircraft would be built by Antonov in Ukraine and assembled in the United States.
"Antonov's participation in the U.S. Air Force tanker bid with U.S. Aerospace, Inc., is a historic opportunity for Antonov to showcase its premier design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities to the world," said Dmytro S. Kiva, president and general designer of Antonov. "We are extremely pleased to have entered into this agreement … and we are looking forward to the long-term mutual benefits of our partnership."
The Air Force's KC-X Tanker Modernization Program is expected to result in the biggest contract in Pentagon history. The U.S. Department of Defense envisages the building of 179 new tankers, about one-third of its aerial refueling fleet.
U.S. Aerospace and Antonov said they will bid three models of aircraft for the PC-X program, including the AN-124-100, with advanced engines, electronics and avionics.
