Northrop Taps AAR for Five-Year Hawkeye Aircraft Parts Deal; John Holmes Comments

Northrop Grumman has selected AAR for an exclusive five-year contract to provide specific airframe parts and accessories for Japan’s E-2C Hawkeye aircraft fleet.

AAR’s defense system and logistics distribution division will act as the program’s manager and work to stock inventory with the goal of increasing the Japanese air force’s readiness level for the Hawkeyes, AAR said Tuesday.

John Holmes, an AAR aviation supply chain vice president, said the company will work to reduce lead times and help Japan build up the aircraft’s sustainability.

“This is critically important as the Japanese Ministry of Defense increases the use of the E-2C to perform surveillance and reconnaissance over its waterways and in its skies,” Holmes added.

AAR will also work with Japan’s Sumitomo Corp., who will procure parts and accessories for the Japan Ministry of Defense.

Sumitomo will acquire the parts directly from AAR under the arrangement.