EADS Looks for U.S. Site for Tanker Facility

Europe’s largest defense contractor, EADS, launched a high-profile hunt for a U.S. site to assemble refueling aircraft for the Pentagon under a multibillion-dollar deal it hopes to grab from Boeing Co.

EADS North America said it was sounding out all 50 U.S. congressional delegations and state governors for a facility that could cost up to $600 million and employ more than 1,100 people.

At the same time, it said talks were underway with potential U.S. industrial partners but gave no details. Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. have each voiced interest in possibly working with European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. if a tanker competition takes place.