Boeing weighs exiting $35B tanker competition

WASHINGTON — Boeing Co. is considering bailing out of the politically-charged bidding for a $35 billion contract to build aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force, if it does not receive an additional four months by the Pentagon to put together a competitive offer. The aerospace manufacturer said Friday it also weighing filing a protest on the final bids request — expected to be released early next week — which could even further delay an award by the Defense Department. No final decision will be made until Boeing has a chance to review the final bids request, said Daniel Beck, a Boeing spokesman Friday. For the full story visit www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-boeing23-2008aug23,0,2431603.story