Aftermarket distribution and MRO services provider VSE Corp's aviation segment has entered into four distribution agreements with various global business and general aviation OEMs for a combined value of approximately $350 million. Each of the agreements is anticipated to commence in early 2023, with contract terms ranging between two and 15 years in duration.

“VSE continues to develop strong, long term partnerships with leading global aircraft engine and airframe manufacturers who value our 'tip-to-tail' distribution and product line management solutions,” says VSE Corp president and CEO John Cuomo. “Our programme performance and unique OEM-focused value proposition are being recognised in the market with new business extensions and expansions on existing programmes. These awards will serve to advance our domestic and international distribution relationships with both new and existing end users, while further establishing VSE as a trusted partner of choice in the aviation market.”

“These multi-year agreements are a testament to the extensive technical capabilities and customer-centric, on demand service VSE provides, along with our deep relationships with global OEM brands who value our integrated solutions and robust programme execution capabilities,” adds VSE Aviation president Ben Thomas. “We remain focused on providing aftermarket solutions for a growing base of business and general aviation operators, while continuing to build recurring, long term revenue streams that support the ratable growth of our business.”

Honeywell has appointed VSE as the exclusive global distributor of the LASEREF IV all-digital ring laser gyro-based inertial reference system. The system uses gyroscopes, accelerometers and electronics to provide an aircraft with precise altitude, velocity and navigation information so it can determine how it is moving through the airspace. It replaces the existing LASEREF I, II and III systems, which are no longer supported through Honeywell.

“It is crucial that all operators and owners of compatible business aircraft using the obsolete LASEREF I, II and III upgrade to the new system,” says Honeywell vice president, business and general aviation, aftermarket Americas Brian Howell. “VSE Aviation is well positioned in the aerospace industry with its global reach to provide our customers with a shorter lead time and order process when it comes to upgrading. The latest system offers the lowest cost of ownership with the highest reliability and improved maintenance.”

“VSE understands the criticality of inertial reference technology to business aviation,” adds VSE vice president and general manager, distribution Pedro Gonzalez. “We're excited to continue supporting operators who benefit from higher reliability, reduced weight and lower cost of ownership with Honeywell's LASEREF IV.”

The upgrade is available for the following aircraft models: Bombardier Global Express, Global 5000, Cessna Citation X, Challenger 600, 601, 601-3A, 601-3R, Dassault Falcon 900, 900EX, 900C, 2000, 2000EX, Gulfstream GIV, GIV-SP, GV, Falcon 50EX, and Hawker 800A/B, 1000 and 800XP.

This expanded agreement will provide revenue opportunities as both new and existing business jet customers leverage the full breadth of the company's combined distribution and repair capabilities.

Pratt & Whitney Canada has agreed a new 15 year distribution agreement with VSE in the Asia Pacific region, representing a geographic expansion of the previously awarded distribution agreement covering North America announced in 2021. VSE will provide new engine line maintenance spare parts and engine accessory exchange support to engine operators, customers and maintenance providers located throughout the Asia Pacific regions. The company expects to service more than 4,000 aircraft based in 57 different countries in the Asia Pacific region with on demand, flight-critical components on a 24/7 basis to support scheduled line maintenance and AOG (aircraft on ground) events.

The exclusive distribution agreements also include:

- A new, five year distribution agreement with a global OEM to be the exclusive distributor in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI) for fuselage mounted antenna (FMA) systems. VSE Aviation will be the exclusive distributor in EMEAI for satellite communication systems for business jets, designed to provide seamless, broadband-class data connectivity worldwide. VSE Aviation is currently the exclusive North American distributor of tail-mounted antenna systems, and by adding the FMA systems, can now fully support operators in the US and EMEAI.

- A new, two year agreement as a sales channel partner to distribute more than 200,000 spare parts supporting Embraer business jets, including the Phenom, Praetor, Legacy and Lineage airframes. This gives customers immediate access to spare parts inventory. VSE Aviation was selected as a sales channel partner due its core competency of supporting B&GA airframe OEMs with both in-production and late-in-life component solutions.