Airbus parent EADS says it is considering a new bid for a lucrative Pentagon contract for mid-air refueling tankers, but wants an extended deadline.

EADS says that the Defense Department's new "willingness to extend the time frame" was a positive sign that the department "seeks competition."

The European aerospace and defense company said Friday it is "assessing this new situation to determine if the company can feasibly submit" a new bid.

EADS urged a "significant extension" of the early May bid deadline.

Earlier this month, EADS pulled out of bidding, saying rival Boeing Co. appeared to be the front-runner. EADS, which had partnered with Northrop Grumman for the 179-tanker order, has criticized the contract as anticompetitive.