ASAS Announces New Distribution Agreement With NGC E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Parts

AAR Sumisho Aviation Services (ASAS), a joint venture launched by AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) and Sumitomo Corporation, announced a new agreement with Northrop Grumman for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft parts distribution. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has been operating the E-2D since March 2019.

Under the five-year agreement, ASAS will be the distributor of certain Northrop Grumman parts to the Japan Ministry of Defense’s (JMOD) E-2D tactical airborne early warning aircraft program. ASAS will provide parts demand forecasting, stock component and spare parts inventory, and manage logistics to support the program. This relationship, ASAS’ first with Northrop Grumman, builds on AAR’s and Sumitomo’s long-term relationships with the E-2 program, along with their combined strengths in offering product and service solutions to Japan’s defense sector.

“ASAS is enthusiastic about working with Northrop Grumman to bring our OEM Solutions expertise to the Japanese defense industry,” said Frank Landrio, ASAS Chief Executive Officer. “The global capabilities of ASAS and our support of defense-critical missions position us to best service the JMOD.”

In November 2014, JMOD competitively selected the Northrop Grumman E-2D to fulfill an emerging next-generation airborne early warning requirement. Japan has operated 13 Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes since 1983 and is the largest E-2 operator outside the U.S.