Harris Corporation Awarded $3 Million U.S. Army Contract For MIDS LVT-2 Tactical Radio Production.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2000

Harris Corporation, in partnership with prime contractor ViaSat, Inc., Carlsbad, California, was recently selected to produce the Multi-function Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminal (LVT)-2 supporting the U.S. Army. Harris anticipates over $3 million in initial orders associated with this win. MIDS is a line-of-sight, tactical radio system that collects data from many sources and displays an electronic overview of a battlespace.

This modification to a previously awarded contract includes first article qualification test (FAQT) followed by initial production. The contract contains an ordering ceiling of 84 additional MIDS LVT-2s over the next five years. ViaSat awarded Harris a $2.8 million contract earlier this year to provide long-lead materials and engineering work supporting FAQT and production of 27 MIDS LVT-1 units. Harris anticipates $13 million in orders resulting from the MIDS LVT-1 FAQT and initial production. To date, Harris has been awarded over $16 million in MIDS-related contracts. Harris estimates the worldwide market for MIDS LVT to approach 8,000 units over the next five to seven years.

The secure, anti-jam data link is based on the Link 16 protocol for digital tactical communications. France, Spain, Italy, and Germany are expected to be the European military customers for MIDS. MIDS LVT-1, for which the ViaSat/Harris team is currently under contract with the DoD, is initially targeted for U.S. Navy F/A-18 and Air Force F-16 aircraft. The Army has targeted MIDS LVT-2 for use in weapons systems such as Patriot.

In cooperation with ViaSat, engineers and technicians at Harris Government Communications Systems Division will manufacture the MIDS LVT chassis and several critical electronic modules integral to the tactical radio system's operation.

"The competitive award of MIDS LVT-2 demonstrates the continued success of the ViaSat/Harris team in this very important communications market," said Robert K. Henry, president of Harris Government Communications Systems Division. "Harris' legacy of providing the military with assured communications solutions and extensive manufacturing expertise, coupled with ViaSat's strong Link 16 credentials, makes for a winning MIDS team."

The Government Communications Systems Division of Harris Corporation conducts advanced research studies, develops prototypes, and produces state-of-the-art airborne, spaceborne, and terrestrial communications and information processing systems for military and government agencies, their prime contractors, and the company's commercial businesses, as well as select commercial organizations worldwide.

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) is an international communications company focused on providing product, system and service solutions that take its customers to the next level. The company provides a wide range of products and services for markets such as wireless, broadcast, government, and network support. The company has sales and service facilities in 90 countries. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.