TANKER TUSSLE.

This article reports that establishing a KC-135 replacement plan in the wake of the defunct KC-767 lease proposal is going to take longer than first thought and could engulf Boeing, EADS, Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. Two studies are likely to influence the Pentagon's direction — an analysis of alternatives on replacing the KC-135s and a refueling needs study. Both are about to wrap up, but Air Force acquisition chief Marvin Sambur says determining a path ahead "could take a while." Northrop Grumman officials appear split internally. Some company officials are eager to partner with EADS, a company with which Northrop Grumman already has extensive relations. However, others think a tanker offering wouldn't be a good fit from a business perspective, and the backlash from Congress could outweigh any benefits from a few orders.