Northrop defers comment on US tanker draft rules

WASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) said Friday it is deferring public comment on draft bidding rules in a renewed competition against Boeing Co (BA.N) for a $35 billion U.S. Air Force tanker fleet.

"We will defer further public comments until we have completed our review," said Randy Belote, a spokesman for Northrop Grumman, which has teamed with Europe's EADS (EAD.PA) to offer a tanker based on the Airbus A-330. (Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Gerald E. McCormick)