Karen Walker
Lockheed Martin and Aerospatiale Matra have teamed in a bid for the UK Ministry of Defence's programme to provide privately-financed aerial refuelling services to the Royal Air Force.
The companies plan to team with one of the seven potential prime contracts for the UK future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) programme, they announced at the show yesterday.
The co-operative project is based on the use of an Airbus airframe for the tanker, but the companies say they have not yet identified a specific aircraft type.
Under the FSTA, the winning bidder would buy and operate tankers providing aerial refuelling services to the RAF on demand worldwide.
Yesterday's announcement followed hot on the heels of the signing of an agreement between Lockheed Martin and Aerospatiale Matra to bid for a stake in Korean Aircraft Industries. The companies estimate a world market in excess of 300 aircraft.
Source: Flight Daily News
