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Harris Corporation Submits Phase B Proposal for Operational Control Segment of Global Positioning System

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 July 2009, 07:00 CDT

MELBOURNE, Fla., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has submitted its proposal to provide advanced communications and information assurance solutions for the Global Positioning System (GPS) Next-Generation Advanced Control Segment (OCX) as a member of the Northrop Grumman team. The proposal begins the downselect phase of the program.

The open-architecture, advanced control segment will support the entire constellation of current and future GPS satellites. The company's proposed communications architecture applies software-defined radio (SDR) technology to GPS monitor stations. This innovative approach significantly reduces life-cycle costs by enabling software/firmware upgrades across the network, supporting new signals from new satellites, and enabling future re-use without requiring completely re-designed hardware. Five generations of Harris SDR solutions have been fielded for missions ranging from highly survivable Anti-Jam telecommunications to advanced signal intelligence receivers. This proven capability is currently in use by thousands of United States military personnel serving in global operations.

The design also incorporates advanced information assurance technology developed by Harris and in use by three of the largest secure networks that carry vital information for the U.S. government agencies supporting nationally important transportation, intelligence and defense missions. The company is also applying to the Northrop Grumman GPS OCX team solution nearly three decades of satellite command and control software expertise supporting some of the largest commercial and military satellite constellations in orbit today.

"The submission of this proposal is a significant milestone in the GPS OCX program and reflects the excellent cooperation and high degree of integration among all members of the Northrop Grumman team," said Wes Covell, president, Harris Defense Programs. "Northrop Grumman has created a very positive environment where each of the teammates contributes from their core competencies, and where collaborative solutions are integrated so that the customer sees a single set of processes being used to manage the entire program."

"Harris delivered an outstanding solution for information assurance, monitor stations and ground antennas. It meets tomorrow's information assurance needs to protect GPS data in the future," said Dan Allen, sector vice president and general manager for Northrop Grumman's Intelligence Systems Division. "This offer will ensure the battlefield advantage of American warfighters, protect GPS from cyber attack, and dramatically cut operational and maintenance costs for the Air Force."

In addition to providing monitoring stations, network systems, and information assurance solutions, Harris will provide site planning, survey, installation, baseline test, and transition services.

Harris was awarded a $17 million contract by Northrop Grumman in 2007 to develop the prototype monitor stations and design the initial communications infrastructure as part of Phase A of the pursuit. At a System Design Review earlier this year, Harris presented a comprehensive, live demonstration of a prototype Advanced Monitor Station receiving live signals. The company also successfully demonstrated the network's communications infrastructure elements, information assurance capabilities, and an interface to legacy ground antennas.

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.

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 15,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications(R) products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

SOURCE Harris Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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