Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - Page updated at 03:55 PM

WA senators call for fairness in tanker rebid

Washington state's two senators again are calling for the Pentagon to ensure that a new contest to replace the Air Force's aerial refueling tankers is as fair and transparent as possible.

WASHINGTON —

Washington state's two senators again are calling for the Pentagon to ensure that a new contest to replace the Air Force's aerial refueling tankers is as fair and transparent as possible.

Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell said Wednesday that the Pentagon should resist attempts to give greater weight to a bigger plane. The two Democratic senators fear that could favor a tanker proposal by Northrop Grumman Corp. and its European partner over Boeing Co.

Northrop Grumman won a $35 billion tanker contract earlier this year, but the award was overturned after federal investigators found errors.

Murray met with Acting Air Force Secretary Michael Donley on Tuesday.

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