Northrop Grumman May Not Bid On Tanker Contract

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) may not bid on the contract for the Air Force tanker, leaving its partner on the bid, France's EADS, to mull a solo bid.

Northrop and EADS won the $35 billion contract in February 2008, but government regulators upheld a protest by Boeing (NYSE: BA), leading to controversy surrounding the bidding process.

Northrop told the Defense Department late last year it may exit the competition because it felt the bidding process heavily favored Boeing.