Summary Box:EADS considers new tanker bid

THE NEWS: European aerospace company EADS NV says it will consider bidding for a big contract to build the U.S. Air Force's next generation of aerial tankers.

DROPOUTS: EADS North America and Northrop Grumman had dropped out of the bidding against U.S. Boeing Co., saying the terms appeared to favor Boeing's smaller plane.

DEADLINE: The Pentagon gave contractors 75 days to submit a new bid. EADS is asking for 90 and may bid alone or with a partner.

REACTION: U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said: "This is no time to put American service members and workers on hold while a foreign company waffles."

(This version CORRECTS Corrects graf 3, Pentagon gave contractors 75 days sted 90)