Terminals to Provide 10 Times the Bandwidth Currently Available Onboard Ships

08:18 GMT, November 4, 2009 MELBOURNE, FL | Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has successfully completed system qualification testing of a satellite terminal that will provide U.S. Navy personnel onboard frigates, cruisers and destroyers with access to the Internet, video and other broadband services. Completion of the testing moves the Commercial Broadband Satellite Program (CBSP) Unit Level Variant (ULV) contract into the initial production phase.

Under the contract, Harris will supply up to 55 advanced, 1.3-meter satellite communications terminals with X- and Ku-band capabilities. With 10 times the bandwidth currently accessible onboard Navy ships, the terminals will enable the Navy to augment military satellite communications by supporting essential mission requirements and providing high-speed Internet access and video communications to frigates and other Unit Level classified ships.

Harris was awarded the five-year, potential $77 million, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract in 2008, and delivered the first terminal for qualification testing in just six months. The CBSP program is a Rapid Deployment Capability acquisition designed to reduce the time required to deliver critical/emerging warfighting capabilities.

"Completion of qualification testing is a key milestone for this program, as these terminals will significantly enhance the Navy's ability to provide high-data-rate satellite communications to shipboard personnel throughout the world," said Wes Covell, president, Harris Defense Programs. "This represents a new Navy SATCOM capability that will provide the most advanced communications services available to deployed personnel."