FAA Awards Harris Corporation $21 Million for NEXCOM Rapid Preliminary Development Effort

Business Wire, Feb 5, 2003

Business Editors

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) today announced that it has been awarded a twenty-month, $21 million Rapid Preliminary Development Effort (RPDE) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Next Generation Air/Ground Communications (NEXCOM) program. NEXCOM will enable the FAA to increase Air Traffic Control (ATC) air-to-ground communications channels to meet the rapid growth requirements of the nation's air traffic system. Harris has an opportunity to compete for the NEXCOM Full Scale Development Program (FSDP) in 2005, which the company estimates could be worth as much as $400 million by 2012.

"Harris' Team NEXCOM is excited about being selected by the FAA for this critical development phase of the NEXCOM program," said Bob Henry, president, Harris Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD). "Our decades of experience in developing and integrating high-reliability communications systems, combined with the technical service, automation, and avionics expertise of our teammates, will ensure a successful preliminary development phase and pave the way for development of a new digital ATC network with greatly expanded communications capabilities."

Harris, a leading integrator of communications systems and weather data processing and display solutions for the FAA, is the team's system architect and prime contractor. Team NEXCOM includes Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), an industry leader in integration and automation systems; CSC (NYSE:CSC), one of the world's leading consulting and IT services firms, which will provide Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) support; Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), a leading systems integrator for the FAA; Rockwell Collins (NYSE:COL), a leader in avionics design and manufacturing; and Avidyne, a leading manufacturer of General Aviation avionics.

"The Harris-led team's combined experience in highly reliable ATC communications and automation systems integration and support, along with its exceptional record of program execution on some of the FAA's most complex systems, and its unparalleled technical excellence in the industry, make it uniquely qualified to propose the lowest-risk - and only end-to-end - NEXCOM solution for the FAA," said Dr. Tom Kabaservice, NEXCOM senior systems engineer, Harris Corporation. "In addition, the Harris team's approach addresses the growing needs of the global aviation community to put more planes in the air, achieve more on-time arrivals, and reduce the communications workload of controllers."

NEXCOM uses VHF Digital Link Mode 3 technology to provide four communications channels for each single analog frequency assignment in use today for ATC air-to-ground communications. These four independent channels allow simultaneous voice and data transmission between controllers and pilots. The increased quantity of available communications channels will enable additional ATC sectors to be added and additional communications channels to be deployed throughout the national air traffic system. The use of digital technology will also provide the highest levels of security. Users will be required to provide a digital form of authentication, thus preventing the possibility of "phantom controllers" gaining access to the communications system.

Harris GCSD, one of five divisions within Harris Corporation, conducts advanced research studies, develops prototypes, and produces and supports state-of-the-art, assured communications and information systems that solve the mission-critical communications challenges of its military and government customers, as well as provides the technology base for the company's diverse commercial businesses. Harris Corporation, which also provides tactical radio, microwave, broadcast, and network support products and systems, has sales and services facilities in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit http://www.harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

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.