EADS Prepares for Work in Mobile MOBILE, AL (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - EADS will produce an Airbus civilian freighter in Mobile if the Air Force selects the European firm and its north American partner Northrop Grumman for a military tanker contract.

The refueling tankers would also be produced at Mobile, and EADS said producing both new aircraft in Alabama's port city would add to efficiency and ensure a smooth and continuing production flow.

Officials announcing the plans Monday said the Airbus work could lead to 300 more jobs at Mobile's Brookley Field.

Both the KC-30 Tanker and the A330 commercial freighter are based on the Airbus A330 twin-engine passenger jet.

Northrop Grumman is competing with Boeing for the $40 billion tanker deal. Boeing would build its version of the plane at its factory in Everett, Washington.

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