KC-X is dominating defense acquisition news coverage, and that is appropriate. But don't forget that another major contract award -- sharing certain KC-X acquisition dynamics -- may be announced any day.
I'm referring, of course, to the US Navy's potentially $2 billion Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) contract.
This is also a contest between Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin is also bidding.
BAMS is also a competition between mostly off-the-shelf products modified for a specific mission, a la KC-X. (Notably, however, the only major foreign supplier I'm aware of is Israel, which is supplying the sensor for Lockheed's bid.)
Finally, it is also fair to expect a protest -- and even a political fight -- no matter which contractor the navy selects.
For background on the competition, allow me to refer you to my one page wrap-up published in Flight International during the Paris Air Show last June.
Also, see my recent blog on BAMS, in which I admitted screwing up by failing to ask an important and seemingly logical question about the navy's acquisition process.
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