Defense secretary says aerial tanker rematch may be heating up soon - al.com

Defense secretary says aerial tanker rematch may be heating up soon - al.com: "U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday in Washington that he is 'firmly committed' to launching a new competition for the Air Force's jet tanker contract as quickly as possible.

Gates told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that he plans to meet with top Air Force officials in the next few weeks to begin planning for a highly anticipated rematch between Boeing Co. and a team led by Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS North America.

Meanwhile, in Mobile, local officials prepared for a visit from U.S. Rep. John Murtha, the chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees defense spending and a key player in the tanker saga."