UPDATE 1-U.S. Air Force to regain control of tanker bidding

* Request for proposals due soon

* Air Force opposes dual procurement idea (Adds details from Senate hearing, byline)

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force is expected to resume control over a long-delayed aerial refueling airplane competition between Boeing Co (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N: Quote, Profile, Research), a Pentagon official said on Thursday.

"All intentions are to return the process to the Air Force," said spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates gave the Pentagon chief weapons buyer control over the program last summer after government auditors upheld a Boeing protest and faulted the Air Force's handling of the tanker competition.

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told the Senate Armed Services Committee the service was working closely with top Pentagon officials, including the new chief weapons buyer, Ashton Carter, to move ahead on the high-priority program.

"We're about getting back on track," Donley told senators.

He said current plans called for release of a draft request for proposals for 179 aerial refueling planes "within the next month or so," and awarding of a winner-take-all contract in the spring of 2010.