Harris Corporation Successfully Completes Final Test of First Navy Satellite Terminal with Simultaneous X- and Ka-band Capabilities

MELBOURNE, Fla., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has completed the operational test of the first U.S. Navy satellite communications terminal to simultaneously provide standard military X-band communications and higher-speed Ka-band communications through a single dual-band feed.  The AN/WSC-6G(V)9 terminal is designed for use onboard the Navy's Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile destroyers.

The addition of Ka-band capabilities to the terminals is important because it enables the Navy fleet to take advantage of the increased bandwidth and higher data rates available on the next-generation Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite constellation.  WGS represents a major improvement in communications bandwidth and can supply more than 10 times the capacity of existing legacy systems.

Successful completion of the operational test, as well as environmental qualification and military satellite certification, enables the Navy to begin fielding systems.  The milestone represents the last phase of a 10-year, $172 million contract awarded to Harris in 2000 by the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), San Diego.

The Harris AN/WSC-6E(V)9 "Ka-ready" terminals currently installed throughout the fleet can now be upgraded from C-/X-band to include the Ka-band communications capabilities through pier-side installation of a Ka-band electronics kit.  Fielding of Ka-band kits is expected to begin in the U.S. Government's fiscal year 2011.

"Successful completion of this critical test is a defining milestone in this program, which is designed to provide the Navy with the best capabilities for its satellite communications network backbone," said Wes Covell, president, Harris Defense Programs.  "This program is an excellent example of the long-term confidence the Navy has in Harris products and services, and of our commitment to being the leading supplier of advanced satellite communications technology to our naval forces."

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.

A high-resolution photograph of the AN/WSC-6G(V)9 terminal is available at

http://www.harris.com/harris/whats_new/WSC6V9E.jpg

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 $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 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.

SOURCE Harris Corporation