This Week's Sign That The Apocalypse is Upon Us

Cut directly from a WSJ news alert and presented without further editorialization:

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In another twist to the ongoing saga to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of aerial refueling tankers, United Aircraft of Russia is planning to bid on the $40 billion contract.

United Aircraft, an aerospace consortium owned by the Russian government, will seek to offer a tanker version of its Ilyushin Il-96 wide-body jetliner, dubbed the Il-98. The planes would be largely built in Russia, and assembled in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense said Friday European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV had asked for more time to decide whether to re-enter bidding for the aerial tanker contest as a prime contractor.