AAR, KIRA establish KALS LLC joint venture, awarded E-6B contract by U.S. Navy

WOOD DALE, Ill., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, has formed a joint venture, KALS LLC, with KIRA Aviation Services under the federal government's Small Business Administration Mentor-Protégé Program. The joint venture was recently awarded an E-6B Mercury pilot training contract by the U.S. Navy.

Under a firm fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, KALS will provide in-flight training and currency for Naval Aviators in support of the U.S. Navy's E-6B Mercury pilot training. KALS will perform the work in Oklahoma City through March 2027.

The joint venture, KALS, was established by AAR and KIRA to meet pressing Department of Defense needs for maintenance and supply chain services. KIRA currently provides award-winning base operations and facility support to the U.S. government and stands to benefit from expanding its array of capabilities. Through the Mentor-Protégé Program, AAR will share its aviation expertise and provide KIRA with training, developing a new set of skills for the small business and positioning it for future growth. The KALS joint venture combines AAR's vast experience and reach-back with the best-in-class service reputation of KIRA.

"We are excited to help solve an urgent need of the U.S. Navy through this joint venture. The combined capabilities of AAR and KIRA will ensure the Navy receives outstanding pilot training for the Department's critical national mission," said Lt. General (r) John Cooper, AAR's Senior Vice President of Global Government and Defense.

"KIRA is thrilled to swiftly bring this critical support to the Navy. By combining the breadth and depth of experience of our two companies, KALS helps the Navy enhance their mission and helps the federal government meet their small business goals," said Beth Hershner, Tlingit Haida Tribal Business Corporation's Vice President of Operations, Information Technology and Engineering Professional Services.

About AAR
AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com.

About KIRA Aviation Services
KIRA Aviation is a Tlingit Haida Tribal Business Corporation (THTBC) subsidiary - a Tribally-Owned 8(a) Small Business (Protégé). The company specializes in providing a wide range of facility maintenance, logistics support, and base operations services to various Department of Defense agencies.

About KALS LLC
KALS is a joint venture established by AAR CORP. and KIRA  Aviation Services to meet the pressing demands of the United States government. Formed under the Small Business Administration's Mentor-Protégé Program, KALS combines AAR's vast experience as a large aviation services company and the award-winning small business capabilities of KIRA to provide world-class aviation maintenance and supply chain services.

Contact:
Media Team
+1-630-227-5100
Editor@aarcorp.com

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SOURCE AAR CORP.