WOOD DALE, Ill., /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that it has been awarded a contract from Military Sealift Command (MSC), to provide airlift support for U.S. Navy ships. The contract has a one-year initial base period, three one-year options and an additional 11-month option with an estimated total value of approximately $77 million.

The vertical replenishment (VERTREP) contract calls for the renewal of 4 helicopters, personnel, and operational and technical support services that the Company currently provides in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Arabian Gulf. AAR was selected from four competitive bids submitted.

"This award reflects the Military Sealift Command's continuing confidence in AAR's transportation and logistics capabilities and we are extremely proud to support the U.S. Navy's operations at sea," said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AAR CORP.

AAR's Airlift Group provides expeditionary airlift services in austere environments and performs specialized aircraft modifications in support of national defense, security and humanitarian relief operations. Under current contracts, the Company provides airlift for the Department of Defense in three regions around the world, using both fixed-wing aircraft and rotary-wing aircraft to transport personnel, supplies and mail over land and at sea.

AAR is a leading provider of value-added products and services to the worldwide aerospace and government and defense industries. With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve aviation and government/defense customers through four operating segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; Structures and Systems; and Government and Defense Services. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

Named one of The Most Trustworthy Companies by Forbes magazine.

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 May 31, 2011 Form 10-K. 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.