ATLANTA, GA (June 29, 2022) | Yesterday, June 28, 2022, a bi-partisan group of Cobb County legislators announced that they are urging Georgia’s United States Senators to ensure the Department of Defense holds a fair and open, value-based competition for a next-generation aerial refueling tanker.
The United States Air Force is currently using a short-term aerial refueling tanker solution, the KC-46, which has been challenged with cost overruns and operational limitations resulting from technical flaws. A true next-generation aerial refueling tanker, the LMXT, has been designed by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Airbus and is their offering for the KC-Y “Bridge Tanker” program competition. This new platform would significantly expand support capability for American forces in both national defense and humanitarian relief scenarios. Advancing with a competition would create an opportunity for a superior, more capable refueling tanker to replace the aging KC-135 tankers.
Additionally, the LMXT would be assembled at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta manufacturing facility and could create over 1,000 good-paying jobs for Georgia manufacturing workers. This presents another great opportunity for Georgia companies and their workforce to showcase the manufacturing prowess of the state, drawing on the experience and talents of a high-tech workforce that has proven itself as a leader in aviation.
“The men and women of Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility have an unmatched record of building true workhorse aircraft for the United States military. These aircraft match cutting-edge technology with a high level of reliability, and I am 100% confident our team there can win this work if they are only given a chance to compete,” said Representative Teri Anulewicz (D-Smyrna).
“Putting fuel in aircraft is core to our mission of supporting our land, air, and naval forces wherever they are deployed around the globe. This critical mission deserves an adequate platform, and I am proud to stand behind our Lockheed team’s proposal and advocate for a value-based, fair and transparent competition to make sure we get the best, most affordable possible solution,” said Senator Kay Kirpatrick (R-East Cobb).
The letter was signed by Representatives Erick Allen (D-Smyrna), Teri Anulewicz (D-Smyrna), John Carson (R-Marietta), Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta), Don Parsons (R-Marietta), Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta), Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), Erica Thomas (D-Austell), David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs), Mary Frances Williams (D-Marietta) and Senators Kay Kirkpatrick (R-East Cobb) and Michael Rhett (D-Powder Springs).
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For Immediate Release:
June 29, 2022
Sophie Stepakoff, Communications Associate
sophie.stepakoff@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028