Northrop Grumman says it is concerned that pricing information regarding the US Air Force aerial refuelling tanker replacement programme has been provided to bidders in competition with the company.

Northrop advanced technology programmes division vice-president Paul K Meyer said he believed pricing information was provided to the company’s competitor Boeing without comparable pricing information being handed to it.

Meyer said given the large emphasis placed on price in the tanker recompetition, and with it again offering the KC-45 refuelling tanker for the programme, the competitive pricing information is of great importance.

Meyer said Northrop now feels the competition is fundamentally unfair and distorts any new competition.

“The company will continue to work with its customer to fully resolve this issue,” he said.