Just wanted to keep folks following UnitedStatesTanker.com (via the web site, Twitter, and email) updated on our latest KC-X activity.

John Lockard (Chief Operating Officer, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems) and Pat Shanahan (Vice President/General Manager, Airplane Programs - Boeing Commercial Airplanes) led our team today as we met with members of the U.S. Air Force's KC-X Tanker program office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.

This was our first opportunity to meet face-to-face with our customer since last Friday's release of the KC-X Tanker Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) and we appreciated both their time and emphasis on transparency.

We feel that one of our key discriminators in this new competition will be a 'one-company' approach. The Air Force will only have to turn to a single point of contact if we are fortunate enough to win this contract and replace America's critical refueling fleet.

Speaking of our approach, here's an update on how we're handling the Draft RFP:

Our team has been dissecting this important document for a week now. We have chosen to ask our questions and highlight areas of interest directly to the Air Force first before discussing them publicly.

As for timing, we should see a Final RFP in late November followed by proposals due in January 2010, and finally a contract award some time next summer.

Regardless of the timing, you can count on one thing. Boeing plans on offering a combat-ready tanker with max capability at lowest cost.