Utah would benefit if Boeing gets A.F. tanker contract

Utah would see a 600 direct and indirect job benefit if Boeing is ultimately selected to build the U.S. Air Force's new fleet of aerial refueling tankers, the Seattle-based company announced Friday.

Jobs would be primarily among Utah suppliers of aerospace components, including electrical and hydromechanical systems for the KC-767 Advanced Tanker, the company said.

Boeing estimates the work would generate $22 million annually in economic activity in Utah.

Overall, Boeing has said the contract would lead to 44,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the country.

Boeing is competing against Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp. and the European-based military contractor EADS, the parent company of Airbus, for the contract.

Boeing formally submitted its proposal to the Air Force on April 10. The winner could be announced as early as December or January, Boeing spokesman Bill Barksdale said Friday.

Boeing would build the tankers in Everett, Wash., where it builds its commercial 767s before shipping them to a finishing center in Wichita, Kan., Kansas, for installation of the military components.