Harris Corporation Selected by Linn County, Iowa, for $18 Million Contract to Upgrade Public Safety Communications System

MELBOURNE, Fla. and BOSTON, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights:

• Harris P25IP technology will provide secure, voice and data communications for public safety users throughout 724 square miles.
• Harris Unity XG-100 portable and mobile radios will give Linn County first responders improved interoperability across all county frequency bands.
• Locally-based RACOM, a 40-year Harris partner, will provide technical service.

Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has been selected to design and implement a Harris P25IP (Project 25 to the power of Internet Protocol) trunked simulcast radio system in Linn County, Iowa, which includes Cedar Rapids, the largest city in the state.  The system will provide reliable, mission-critical voice and data communications for first responders who serve the county's more than 200,000 residents over 724 square miles.  The contract also includes Harris Unity XG-100P Full-Spectrum Multiband portable radios for improved communication on the VHF, UHF, 700 and 800 MHz frequency bands.

"Seeing the success experienced by neighboring Johnson County with its Harris P25 trunked radio system, it was an easy decision to implement a similar upgrade," said Sheriff Brian Gardner, Linn County, Iowa.  "Our new standards-based system will give our agencies exactly what we need – a highly-available, scalable radio solution for reliable voice and data communications that will support our first responders during both large-scale emergency situations and day-to-day operations."

The Harris P25IP digital simulcast system will consist of six sites across Linn County.  The system meets current P25 standard and is software upgradeable to P25 Phase 2 standards for future scalability.  Harris partner and locally-based RACOM will provide technical services and support.

Linn County's system also includes 600 Unity XG-100P Full-Spectrum Multiband portable radios that will provide public safety officials with reliable and interoperable voice and data communications among agencies in the county as well as with first responders in surrounding counties.  The Unity XG-100P radios provide Linn County with multimode interoperability to communicate across the VHF, UHF, 700 and 800 MHz spectrum.

"The unique geography of Linn County requires a highly available radio system with end-to-end IP connectivity to deliver reliable communications capabilities to first responders," said Steve Marschilok, president, Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications.  "By choosing our Harris P25IP system, Linn County will be able to meet these requirements, and more, for consistently secure, interoperable voice and data transmissions in both rural and urban locations."

The Harris P25IP system includes the Harris VIDA® network, which is a unified IP-based voice and data communication platform.  VIDA delivers full IP management features, including interoperability without intervention of console operators, IP consoles, and other benefits inherent in open IP architecture systems.  

In public safety and professional communications, Harris is a leading supplier of assured communications® systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial and transportation markets — with products ranging from the most advanced IP voice and data networks, to industry leading multiband, multimode radios, to public safety-grade broadband voice, video and data solutions.  Harris has more than 80 years of experience in public safety and professional communications and supports over 500 systems around the world.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries.  Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $6 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.  Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.  Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions.  Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Statements about the expected value of the program to Harris are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties.  Other factors that may impact the company's results and forward-looking statement may be disclosed in the company's filings with the SEC.  Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Harris Corporation