Demand Forecasting and Logistics Management Also Covered

AAR Sumisho Aviation Services (ASAS) – a joint venture of AAR Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation – has inked a new agreement with Northrop Grumman covering the distribution of aircraft parts for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) fleet of E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, which the service has operated since 2019.

Under the five-year agreement, ASAS will distribute certain Northrop Grumman parts to the Japanese MoD and will provide parts demand forecasting, stock component and spare parts inventory, and manage logistics to support the programme. This relationship, ASAS’ first with Northrop Grumman, builds on AAR’s and Sumitomo’s long-term relationships with the E-2 programme, along with their combined strengths in offering product and service solutions to Japan’s defence sector. “The global capabilities of ASAS and our support of defense-critical missions position us to best service the [Japanese MoD],” stated Frank Landrio, ASAS Chief Executive Officer.

The largest E-2 operator outside the US, Japan has operated 13 E-2C Hawkeyes since 1983 and in 2014 selected the E-2D for its next-generation airborne early warning requirement.