Latest about aerospace MRO March 2026

AAR celebrates airframe MRO expansion in Oklahoma City

Commercial and government aviation services provider AAR Corp. has substantially completed the expansion of its Airframe MRO facility in Oklahoma City, hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the project’s near completion, the creation of 200 additional full-time careers with AAR, and the upcoming digitization of the company’s maintenance processes in Oklahoma City in collaboration with Alaska Airlines.

Driven by an increased demand for AAR’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, the expansion adds more than 80,000ft² of hangar and warehouse space, including three maintenance bays capable of accommodating all Boeing 737 variants. AAR will soon induct additional Alaska Airlines aircraft for service as part of a long-term customer commitment.

AAR’s maintenance operations in Oklahoma City date back more than 50 years, with the company’s facility located on the site of Will Rogers International Airport’s original Hangar 2. https://www.aarcorp.com; https://www.alaskaair.com

AI-based sustainment for US combat aircraft

Lockheed Martin and MANTECH are teaming to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sustainment solutions into the U.S. combat aircraft fleet.

The collaboration leverages Lockheed Martin’s AI Factory and MANTECH’s extensive experience in defense analytics, enterprise modernization, and secure mission integration to accelerate reliability, readiness, and operational efficiency across forces.

The effort will bring real-time aircraft performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, optimized logistics support, and improved mission availability across legacy and next-generation platforms, while adhering to the highest standards of security.

In business for more than 57 years, MANTECH provides AI solutions powering full-spectrum cyber, data collection & analytics, enterprise IT, high-end engineering, and software application development solutions supporting national and homeland security. https://lockheedmartin.com; https://www.mantech.com

Chromalloy earns another CFM56 parts manufacturer approval

Global aerospace engine aftermarket firm Chromalloy received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) parts manufacturer approval (PMA) for its CFM56-5B/7B high pressure turbine (HPT) blade.

The CFM56-5B/7B platform has more than 20,000 engines in service, representing a substantial portion of the commercial aero-engine installed base and overall aftermarket demand. The CFM56-5B engine powers the Airbus A320 family while the Boeing 737NG uses the CFM56-7B engine. Chromalloy’s HPT Blade PMA is now the only aftermarket alternative to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manufactured new part. The Chromalloy-designed solution is fully FAA-approved and released for manufacturing.

Chromalloy now offers four PMA parts for the CFM56-5B/7B platform, including the HPT Nozzle Guide Vane PMA, the LPT Stage 1 Nozzle Guide Vane PMA, and the HPT Shroud PMA. Chromalloy’s available repair solutions for the CFM56-5B/7B platform include more than 50 designated engineering representative (DER) repairs, including 25 advanced repairs for engine operators, engine asset owners, and engine repair providers.

The CFM56 HPT Blade PMA is entirely produced at Chromalloy’s facilities, where each part is cast, machined, and coated. https://www.chromalloy.com