The authority for the long-delayed KC-X aerial tanker acquisition programme has been returned to the US Air Force, US Defense secretary Robert M Gates has announced.

The US Air Force originally awarded a contract to acquire 179 tanker aircraft to Northrop Grumman, sparking a protest from rival bidder Boeing. The General Accountability Office subsequently found irregularities in the awarding of the contract causing the deal to be delayed.

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After the delay Defence Secretary Gates appointed the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics as the source-selection authority.

“I don’t need to belabour the importance of getting this done soon and done right, and my office will continue to have a robust oversight role,” Gates said.

“I have confidence that the KC-X selection authority is in good hands,” he added.

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