Harris Corporation completes system design review for next-generation Global Positioning System Control Segment Program

Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has successfully completed demonstrations of its advanced communications and information assurance solutions for the Global Positioning System (GPS) Operational Control Segment (OCX) program. The announcement was made during the 25th National Space Symposium being held March 30 through April 2 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Harris is a member of the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) team, which is competing for the open-architecture, next-generation ground control segment contract that will support the entire network of existing and future GPS satellites. Total value of the contract to Harris if the Northrop team is selected in 2009 for the development phase could exceed $100 million over the next 20 years.

During the System Design Review, Harris presented a comprehensive demonstration of a prototype Advanced Monitoring Station. "Harris laid a convincing approach to significantly improve operational support to the GPS enterprise with low development risk," said Steve Bergjans, Northrop Grumman vice president and GPS OCX program manager. "Their System Design Review made clear that they are the best choice to provide the Advanced Monitoring Station, and I am pleased to have them on our team as technical leader and partner," Bergjans said. Additionally, the network communications elemental design and information assurance processes and capabilities were featured during the review.

"We were able to demonstrate to our customer a comprehensive solution with a high level of design maturity at the system design review stage," said Wes Covell, president, Harris Defense Programs. "This success is due in large part to the strong cooperative relationship between Harris and Northrop Grumman during the 15 months we have worked together on this pursuit. Harris is proud to play a key role in this vital national defense program."

In addition to providing communications systems and information assurance solutions, Harris will supply the OCX advanced ground antennas, which receive telemetry, tracking and command data. Harris also will provide site activation services.

In 2007, Harris was awarded a $17 million contract by Northrop Grumman to develop the prototype monitoring stations and to design the initial communications infrastructure as part of Phase A of the pursuit. The system design review - held at Northrop Grumman facilities in Redondo Beach, California, with representatives of the U.S. Air Force and government GPS community in attendance - completed the last milestone for Phase A.

Other members of the Northrop Grumman team include Integral Systems, Inc., Lanham, MD.; Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services, Gaithersburg, MD.; and Infinity Systems Engineering, Colorado Springs, CO.

Harris Defense Programs develops, supplies, and integrates communications and information processing products, systems, and networks for a diverse base of aerospace, terrestrial and maritime applications supporting U.S. Department of Defense missions. Harris is committed to delivering leading-edge technologies that support the military's ongoing transformation to network-centric communications.