1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

AAR CORP. (the “Company”) is a diversified provider of services and products to the worldwide commercial aviation and government and defense markets. We serve commercial, government and defense aircraft fleet operators, original equipment manufacturers, and independent service providers around the world, and various other domestic and foreign military customers.

Services and products include: aviation supply chain and parts support programs; customer fleet management and operations; maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) of airframes (“Airframe MRO”), and certain other components (“Component MRO”); design and manufacture of specialized pallets, shelters, and containers; aircraft modifications and aircraft and engine sales and leasing.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year presentation to conform to the 2026 presentation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer, and excludes any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer.

Our unit of accounting for revenue recognition is a performance obligation included in our customer contracts. A performance obligation reflects the distinct good or service that we must transfer to a customer. At contract inception, we evaluate if the contract should be accounted for as a single performance obligation or if the contract contains multiple performance obligations. In some cases, our contract with the customer is considered one performance obligation as it includes factors such as whether the good or service being provided is significantly integrated with other promises in the contract, whether the service provided significantly modifies or customizes another good or service or whether the good or service is highly interdependent or interrelated. If the contract has more than one performance obligation, we determine the standalone price of each distinct good or service underlying each performance obligation and allocate the transaction price based on their relative standalone selling prices.

The transaction price of a contract, which can include both fixed and variable amounts, is allocated to each performance obligation identified. Some contracts contain variable consideration, which could include incremental fees or penalty provisions related to performance. Variable consideration that can be reasonably estimated based on current assumptions and historical information is included in the transaction price at the inception of the contract but limited to the amount that is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. Variable consideration that cannot be reasonably estimated is recorded when known.

Our performance obligations are satisfied over time as work progresses or at a point in time based on transfer of control of products and services to our customers. The majority of our sales from products typically represent distinct performance obligations and are recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment. In connection with certain sales of products, we also provide logistics services, which include inventory management, replenishment, and other related services. The price of such services is generally included in the price of the products delivered to the customer, and revenues are recognized upon delivery of the product, at which point the customer has obtained control of the product. We do not account for these services separate from the related product sales as the services are inputs required to fulfill part orders received from customers.

For our performance obligations that are satisfied over time, we measure progress in a manner that depicts the performance of transferring control to the customer. As such, we utilize the input method of cost-to-cost to recognize revenue over time as this depicts when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the customer. Revenue is recognized based on the relationship of actual costs incurred to date to the estimated total cost at completion of the performance obligation.

We are required to make certain judgments and estimates, including estimated revenues and costs, as well as inflation and the overall profitability of the arrangement. Key assumptions involved can include customer volume, future labor costs and efficiencies, repair or overhaul costs, overhead costs, and ultimate timing of product delivery. Differences may occur between the judgments and estimates made by management and actual program results. For contracts that are deemed to be loss contracts, we establish forward loss reserves for total estimated costs that are in excess of total estimated consideration in the period in which they become known.

We utilize the portfolio approach to estimate the amount of revenue to recognize for certain contracts which require over time revenue recognition. Such contracts are grouped together either by revenue stream, customer or product line with each portfolio of contracts grouped together based on having similar characteristics. The portfolio approach is utilized only when the result of the accounting is not expected to be materially different than if applied to individual contracts.

We also may enter into offset agreements or conditions as part of obtaining orders for our products and services from certain government customers in foreign countries. These agreements are designed to enhance the social and economic environment of the foreign country by requiring the contractor to promote investment in the country. These agreements also may be satisfied through our use of cash or other means of providing financial support for in-country projects with local companies. The amounts ultimately applied against our offset agreements are based on negotiations with the customer and satisfaction of our offset obligations are included in the estimates of our total costs to complete the contract.

When contracts are modified, we consider whether the modification either creates new or changes the existing enforceable rights and obligations. Contract modifications that are for goods or services that are not distinct from the existing contract, due to the significant integration with the original goods or services provided, are accounted for as if they were part of that existing contract with the effect of the contract modification recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis. When the modifications include additional performance obligations that are distinct, they are accounted for as a new contract and performance obligation, which are recognized prospectively.

Certain contracts with customers have options for the customer to acquire additional goods or services. In most cases, the pricing of these options is reflective of the standalone selling price of the good or service. These options do not provide the customer with a material right and are accounted for only when the customer exercises the option to purchase the additional goods or services. If the option on the customer contract is not indicative of the standalone selling price of the good or service, the material right would be accounted for as a separate performance obligation.

Under most of our U.S. government contracts, if the contract is terminated for convenience, we are entitled to payment for items delivered and fair compensation for work performed, the costs of settling and paying other claims, and a reasonable profit on the costs incurred or committed.

In the performance of our government contracts, we routinely request contract modifications that require additional funding from the customer. Most often, these requests are due to customer-directed changes in the scope of work. While we are entitled to recovery of these costs under our contracts, the administrative process with our customer may be protracted. Based on the circumstances, we periodically file requests for equitable adjustment (“REAs”) that are sometimes converted into claims. In some cases, these REAs are disputed by our customer. We believe our outstanding modifications, REAs and other similar claims will be resolved without material impact to our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

In the ordinary course of business, agencies of the U.S. and other governments audit our claimed costs and conduct inquiries and investigations of our business practices with respect to government contracts to determine whether our operations are conducted in accordance with these requirements and the terms of the relevant contracts. U.S. government agencies, including the Defense Contract Audit Agency (“DCAA”), routinely audit our claimed indirect costs, for compliance with the Cost Accounting Standards and the Federal Acquisition Regulations. These agencies also conduct reviews and investigations and make inquiries regarding our accounting and other systems in connection with our performance and business practices with respect to our government contracts and subcontracts.

Costs to fulfill and obtain a contract are considered for capitalization based on contract specific facts and circumstances. The incremental costs to fulfill a contract, including setup and implementation costs prior to beginning the period of performance, are capitalized when expenses are incurred prior to the start of satisfying a performance obligation. The capitalized costs are subsequently expensed over the contract’s period of performance.

We have elected to use certain practical expedients permitted under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606. Shipping and handling fees and costs incurred associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in Cost of sales on our Consolidated Statements of Income, and are not considered a performance obligation to our customers. Our reported Sales on our Consolidated Statements of Income include sales and related non-income taxes. We also utilize the “as invoiced” practical expedient in certain cases where performance obligations are satisfied over time and the invoiced amount corresponds directly with the value we are providing to the customer.

Cumulative Catch-up Adjustments

Changes in estimates and assumptions related to our arrangements accounted for using the cost-to-cost method are recorded using the cumulative catch-up method of accounting. These changes are primarily adjustments to the estimated profitability for our long-term programs where we provide component inventory management, supply chain logistics programs, and/or repair services.

Favorable and unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustments were as follows:

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Contract Assets and Liabilities

The timing of revenue recognition, customer billings, and cash collections results in a contract asset or contract liability at the end of each reporting period. For instances where we recognize revenue prior to having an unconditional right to payment, we record a contract asset. When an unconditional right to consideration exists, we reduce our contract asset and recognize an unbilled or trade receivable. When amounts are dependent on factors other than the passage of time in order for payment from a customer to be due, we record a contract asset which consists of costs incurred where revenue recognized over time using the cost-to-cost model exceeds the amounts billed to customers. Contract liabilities include advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized. Certain customers make advance payments prior to the satisfaction of our performance obligations on the contract. These amounts are recorded as contract liabilities until such performance obligations are satisfied, either over time as costs are incurred or at a point in time when deliveries are made. Contract assets and contract liabilities are determined on a contract-by-contract basis.

Net contract assets and liabilities are as follows:

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Contract assets – non-current is reported within Other non-current assets and deferred revenue on long-term contracts is reported within Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in contract assets and contract liabilities primarily result from the timing difference between our performance of services and payments from customers.

During fiscal 2024, we experienced delayed collections from one of our significant regional airline customers and issued the customer a Notice of Payment and Other Defaults during the second quarter of fiscal 2024 to request payment and reserve our rights under our agreements. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we terminated a power-by-the-hour (“PBH”) program with this customer which resulted in a net termination charge of $4.8 million. The charge included a reduction in contract assets and revenue of $7.8 million and the establishment of repair reserves of $2.5 million partially offset by a $5.5 million gain recognized from the customer’s obligation to purchase the rotable assets we utilized to perform the PBH services. In conjunction with the termination for default, the customer was obligated to purchase the rotable assets, and we sold the assets to the customer in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 for $18.7 million.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, our Mobility Systems’ business received a stop-work order from our U.S. government customer on the Next Generation Pallet contract as the program was terminated for convenience by the customer. Under the conditions for the termination for convenience, we have the right to submit a proposal for recovery of our incurred costs. In conjunction with the termination, we expensed equipment and inventory of $12.7 million and recognized a contract asset of $9.5 million reflecting the estimated recovery on our incurred costs.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2025, we submitted our termination settlement proposal to the customer and increased our contract asset to $13.5 million based on the revised estimated recovery. In conjunction with the termination settlement proposal submission, we also expensed an additional $1.0 million of equipment and other costs.

Changes in our deferred revenue were as follows:

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Remaining Performance Obligations

As of May 31, 2026, we had approximately $777 million of remaining performance obligations, also referred to as firm backlog, which excludes unexercised contract options and potential orders under our indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts. We expect that approximately 70% of this backlog will be recognized as revenue in fiscal 2027, an additional 20% of the firm backlog in fiscal 2028, and the balance thereafter. The amount of remaining performance obligations that are expected to be recognized as revenue beyond 12 months primarily relates to our long-term programs where we provide component inventory management, supply chain logistics programs, and/or repair services.

Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Market or Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of market or credit risk consist principally of trade receivables. While our trade receivables are diverse and represent a number of entities and geographic regions, the majority are with the U.S. government and its contractors and entities in the aviation industry. The composition of our accounts receivable is as follows:

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The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We maintain an allowance for credit losses to reflect the expected uncollectibility of accounts receivable based on past collection history and specific risks identified among uncollected accounts. In determining the required allowance, we consider factors such as general and industry-specific economic conditions, customer credit history, and our customers’ current and expected future financial performance. The majority of our customers are recurring customers with an established payment history. Certain customers are required to undergo an extensive credit check prior to delivery of products or services.

Our allowance for credit losses also includes reserves for estimated product returns based on historical return rates. The reserve for estimated product returns is recognized as a reduction to sales with a corresponding reduction to cost of sales for the estimated cost of inventory that is expected to be returned.

We perform regular evaluations of customer payment experience, current financial condition, and risk analysis. We may require collateral in the form of security interests in assets, letters of credit, and/or obligation guarantees from financial institutions for transactions executed on other than normal trade terms. We also maintain trade credit insurance for certain customers to provide coverage, up to a certain limit, in the event of insolvency of some customers.

The change in our allowance for credit losses, including product return reserves, was as follows:

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles–Goodwill and Other, goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable.

We review and evaluate our goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets for potential impairment at a minimum annually, on May 31, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment is possible. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment either under a qualitative or a quantitative assessment approach, which depends on the facts and circumstances of a reporting unit, consideration of the estimated excess of a reporting unit’s fair value over its carrying amount, and changes in the business environment.

When performing a qualitative assessment, we consider factors including, but not limited to, current macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, financial performance and other relevant events to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If we determine that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, a quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed which relies upon significant judgments and assumptions about expected future cash flows, weighted-average cost of capital, discount rates, expected long-term growth rates, operating margins and on the selection of guideline public companies.

When performing a quantitative goodwill impairment test, the reporting unit carrying value is compared to its fair value. Goodwill is deemed impaired if, and the impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which, the reporting unit carrying value exceeds its fair value.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. These intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Foreign Currency

Our foreign subsidiaries generally utilize the local currency as their functional currency. All balance sheet accounts of foreign subsidiaries transacting business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at year-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year. Translation adjustments are excluded from the results of operations and are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss until such subsidiaries are liquidated. Income and losses from foreign currency transactions re-measurements are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Business Combinations

Transaction costs related to business combinations are expensed as incurred. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured and recognized based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, any excess of the purchase consideration when compared to the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

If the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the acquisition occurs, the business combination is recorded and disclosed on a preliminary basis. Subsequent to the acquisition date, and not later than one year from the acquisition date, adjustments to the initial preliminary recognized amounts are recorded to the extent new information is obtained about the measurement of assets and liabilities that existed as of the date of the acquisition.

Cash

Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Restricted cash represents cash on hand that is legally restricted as to withdrawal or usage. As of May 31, 2026, restricted cash includes amounts on deposit with an escrow agent related to our acquisitions including $5.4 million for Trax USA Corp. (“Trax”), $3.1 million for Aerostrat Corp. (“Aerostrat”), and $3.5 million for American Distributors Holding Co., LLC (“ADI”). We also have restricted cash of $11.8 million required to be set aside by a contractual agreement to provide servicing related to receivable securitization arrangements.

The restrictions related to our acquisitions typically lapse at the time of resolution of certain contingencies including tax contingencies. The restrictions related to the receivable securitization arrangements lapse at the time we remit the customer payments collected by us as servicer of previously sold customer receivables to the purchaser.

Inventories and Rotable Assets

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the specific identification, average cost, or first-in, first-out methods. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of disposal and transportation. From time-to-time, we purchase aircraft and engines for disassembly to individual parts and components. Costs are assigned to these individual parts and components utilizing list prices from original equipment manufacturers and recent sales history. Expenditures for the repair of parts and components are capitalized as inventory.

The following is a summary of inventories:

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In conjunction with the decision to exit our consumables and expendables product line, we do not expect certain inventories to be recoverable and have recognized an inventory reserve of $4.9 million during fiscal 2026.

The cost of rotable assets is typically the original purchase price plus overhaul costs. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated service life of the equipment. Rotable assets have been generally used for asset exchange or leasing transactions with customers. Future rent due to us under long-term leases of rotable assets during each of the next five fiscal years is $8.2 million in 2027, $6.6 million in 2028, $1.3 million in 2029, $0.6 million in 2030, and $0.4 million in 2031.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Other Non-Current Assets

We record property, plant and equipment at cost. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over useful lives of 10-40 years for buildings and improvements and 3-10 years for equipment, furniture and fixtures, and capitalized software. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the applicable lease.

Repair and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred. Upon sale or disposal, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and related gains and losses are included in results of operations.

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, we are required to test for impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows. We utilize certain assumptions to estimate future undiscounted cash flows, including demand for our services, future market conditions and trends, business development pipeline of opportunities, current and future lease rates, lease terms, and residual values.

Investments

Investments where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not control the entity, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Significant influence generally exists if we have a 20% to 50% ownership interest in the investee. Our share of the net earnings or loss of our investees is included in Operating income on our Consolidated Statements of Income since the activities of the investees are closely aligned with our operations.

Equity investments in entities over which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence and whose securities do not have a readily determinable fair value are carried at cost less impairment, if any, adjusted for changes resulting from qualifying observable price changes for the identical investment of the same issuer should they occur.

We evaluate our investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the value of an investment is determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period. During fiscal 2026, we recognized impairment charges and losses on sales of investments of $1.0 million.

Our investments are classified in Other non-current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Distributions from joint ventures are classified as operating or investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows based upon an evaluation of the specific facts and circumstances of each distribution.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are amortized and recognized as interest expense using the effective interest rate method, or, when the results are not materially different, on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the related debt. Debt issuance costs are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a direct reduction to the carrying amount of the related debt.

Restructuring and Other Exit Costs

We recognize charges for restructuring and other exit costs such as product line exits and facility closures at their fair value when incurred. In cases where employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits and will be retained beyond the minimum retention period, we recognize the expense ratably over the future service period.

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S., state, and several foreign jurisdictions. In the ordinary course of business, there can be transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns in accordance with applicable accounting guidance for accounting for income taxes, using currently enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

We record a valuation allowance when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Both positive and negative evidence are considered in forming our judgment as to whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, and more weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Valuation allowances are reassessed whenever there are changes in circumstances that may cause a change in judgment.

The accounting for uncertainty in income taxes requires a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Where necessary, we record a liability for the difference between the benefit recognized for financial statement purposes and the tax position taken or expected to be taken on our tax return. To the extent that our assessment of such tax positions changes, the change in estimate is recorded in the period in which the determination is made.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted in Fiscal 2026

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU updates income tax disclosure requirements by requiring specific categories and greater disaggregation within the income tax rate reconciliation and disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The ASU would be applied on a prospective basis with retrospective application permitted. This ASU was adopted prospectively with no impact on our consolidated financial statements except for expanded income tax-related disclosures.

New Accounting Pronouncement Not Yet Adopted

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU includes new disclosure requirements about specific expense categories, including but not limited to, purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, amortization, and selling expenses that are included in certain expense captions presented on the face of the income statement. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted and the ASU can be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. We expect this ASU to only impact our disclosures with no impacts to our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.