WOOD DALE, Ill., Jan. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR)
announces its Airlift division has been awarded a contract by the
United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for Search & Rescue (SAR)
and Support Helicopter services in the Falkland Islands. The contract is valued at
approximately $275 million
(approximately £180 million).
AAR Airlift, together with British International Helicopters
(BIH) and Air Rescue Systems (ARS), will provide a combined SAR and
Support Helicopter service to the British Forces South Atlantic
Islands (BFSAI) operations. The program will include AgustaWestland
AW-189 SAR helicopters, Sikorsky S-61 support helicopters, flight
operations, maintenance, logistics and facilities support at the
Mount Pleasant Complex in the Falkland
Islands and surrounding maritime region.
The mission includes all-weather SAR, helicopter emergency
medical services, rescue hoist operations, passenger and cargo
transfers, and night vision imaging systems. Readiness states vary
from 15 minutes to 60 minutes response and require a 24/7/365 alert
posture. Performance on the 10-year contract will begin in
April 2016.
"This award presents a tremendous opportunity for AAR Airlift's
business as part of our strategy to diversify our capabilities and
customer base," said Randy J.
Martinez, President & CEO, AAR Airlift Group. "We are
thrilled that our exemplary record of safety, reliability and
operational performance has earned us the confidence of the UK
Ministry of Defence to deliver this critical service."
Ian Craddock, Head of Helicopters
2 in the MOD's Defence Equipment and Support department, said: "I
have every confidence that AAR Airlift has the capability and
experience to provide a search and rescue service that maintains
the high standards set by the Royal Air Force, who we must thank
for the service they have delivered to date.
"We will work closely with AAR through the period of transition,
with the RAF continuing to provide search and rescue cover until
the new service starts. I am also pleased that AAR will be
sub-contracting British International Helicopters, who is already
successfully providing support helicopter services in the
Falkland Islands, to support
delivery of the combined service."
AAR Airlift provides expeditionary airlift services in support
of contingency operations worldwide. The Company provides
passenger and cargo transport, aeromedical services, night vision
operations, search and rescue (SAR), airdrop and other special
mission services. AAR Airlift's fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing
aircraft serves defense customers in Afghanistan, Africa, the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and
the Western Pacific.
About AAR
AAR is a global aerospace and defense contractor that employs more
than 6,000 people in 17 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial,
government and defense customers through two operating segments:
Aviation Services and Technology Products. AAR's services include
inventory management and parts distribution; aircraft maintenance,
repair and overhaul; and expeditionary airlift. AAR's products
include cargo systems and containers; mobility systems and
shelters; advanced aerostructures; and command and control systems.
More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.
This press release contains certain statements relating to
future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs
of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based
on information currently available to the Company, and are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated,
including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk
Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended May 31, 2014. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or
should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual
results may vary materially from those described. These
events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict
accurately and many are beyond the Company's control. The
Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or
unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments
included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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SOURCE AAR