AAR to Showcase Expanded Airlift and Rotorcraft Services Capabilities

Leading provider of expeditionary helicopter transport, aircraft parts supply and repair now offering its expertise to rotorcraft operators

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Global aerospace and defense contractor AAR (NYSE: AIR) will showcase the expansion of its expeditionary airlift capabilities, supply chain services and composites manufacturing to potential partners and helicopter operators at Heli Expo 2016 March 1-3.

Members of the media are invited to stop by Booth 2604 to meet AAR executives/subject matter experts including AAR Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Expeditionary Services segment Timothy J. Romenesko; Airlift Group’s new President Steve Harrison; and Steve Peckham, Vice President, Rotorcraft Business Development.

Expanded airlift capabilities

Under Harrison’s leadership, AAR Airlift is implementing a strategy to expand its aviation services and geographic presence by diversifying its service capabilities to align with future growth opportunities. Airlift has been transitioning from being the largest independent airlift provider for the Department of Defense in Afghanistan to new types of government contracts including:

• A series of new U.S. Department of Defense contracts in Africa, including a $49 million Personnel Recovery (PR) and Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) service contract for US Africa Command forces in West Africa;
• A $19 million UN Peacekeeping contract for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO); and
• The first United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Search & Rescue (SAR) service contract awarded to a commercial provider, valued at $275 million over 10 years. The contracted service in the Falkland Islands officially begins in April 2016.

"Airlift has demonstrated that we can successfully leverage our experience – operating in rugged/hostile terrains, conducting search and rescue missions, providing aerial resupply services, quickly ramping up in remote locations, and sustaining a highly skilled overseas workforce – to provide the partnerships our government customers require," said Harrison. "Having served the aviation market for 60 years, AAR is uniquely capable of applying commercial best practices to help government increase efficiencies and reduce costs."

AAR Airlift maintains and operates its own fleet that has included the Sikorsky S-92 and S-61N, Bell 214ST and 412, Airbus 330J Puma, and Finmeccanica AW-189 airframes.

To help staff new contracts and capabilities, AAR Airlift will participate in the HAI Helicopter Industry Career Fair at Heli-Expo on March 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kentucky Exposition Center, West Hall B.

Expanded services for rotorcraft

AAR’s just announced Rotorcraft Services division leverages Airlift’s rotorcraft operations experience, as well as the Company’s aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, global supply chain network and modification expertise for fixed-wing aircraft, to offer similar services to rotorcraft customers.

Rotor-wing operators can now access the full range of services that AAR provides to customers in more than 100 countries including parts sales and procurement; aircraft leasing and resale; aircraft evaluation; new and used parts sales; parting out of legacy aircraft; component repair; engineering services; aircraft modifications; field maintenance; and comprehensive support programs. This includes a new rotorcraft product line in its trading business focused on component sales, OEM distribution, repair management and asset trading. Through its Airinmar subsidiary, AAR currently manages component repair for CHC’s fleet of more than 200 helicopters.

Composites manufacturing for rotorcraft

AAR’s Composites division supplies value-added composite structures, fairings and interior paneling components to regional/business jets, military aircraft and helicopters. AAR provides full project management services, from concept development and component design through process engineering, prototyping, regulatory certification, to full rate production. Manufacturing capabilities range from piece-part oven and autoclave cured fabrication and multi-axis machining, to integration and assembly of complex composite structures. Applying over 30 years of experience in mechanical and electrical integration to composite assemblies, AAR Composites partners with our customers to streamline supply chains and speed their assembly times.