New Air Tankers Bound For Altus And Tinker

Oklahoma's Altus and Tinker Air Force Bases will play a key role in replacing a 40-year-old fleet of tankers for the U.S. Air Force.

The Air Force awarded the KC 45 A Tanker contract to Northrop Grumman.

In a written statement, Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe welcomes the announcement of the contract of replacing nearly 500 outdated planes.

The new tankers will provide vital air refueling in higher threat areas, as well as conduct airlift operations.

The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2013 and will take 10 to 15 years to complete.  The total cost for about 179 of those planes is estimated at $35 billion.