The Pentagon is putting the finishing touches on the draft rules for a new aerial refueling tanker competition, but has not set a date for their release.

Spokesman Bryan Whitman said the department was working hard on the draft request for proposals and there was “more work to be done,” but Pentagon officials hoped to release it soon.

The schedule is being carefully watched by Boeing Co and a team of Northrop Grumman Corp and Airbus parent which are competing for a $35 billion deal to

build 179 tankers for the Air Force.

The Pentagon awarded Northrop a projected $35 billion contract for new aerial refueling planes in February 2008, but scrapped the deal in September after government auditors upheld a protest filed by Boeing and the debate became politicized.

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