MELBOURNE, Fla., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris
Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications and
information technology company, has successfully completed a key
milestone in a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) program that will process 40 times more data than is
possible today, and deliver weather images to more than 10,000
direct users.
Harris recently completed the System Definition Review (SDR) of
the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite — Series R
Ground Segment (GOES-R GS) program in Melbourne. The SDR is a formal technical
review of the ground architecture and how it will operate within
the overall GOES-R system. Successful completion establishes
a firm baseline for advancing to the preliminary design phase of
the program.
"Harris has successfully demonstrated a complete and
well-integrated architecture for the GOES-R GS," said Vanessa L. Griffin, NOAA Project Manager for
GOES-R GS. "Successful completion of this critical milestone
increases our confidence that the GOES-R system will achieve all
mission objectives."
Today's GOES satellites provide the familiar images and
time-lapse sequences used in television weather forecasts.
They are the primary tool used by NOAA to detect and track
hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and other severe weather in
the continental U.S. and western hemisphere.
The next-generation GOES-R system will significantly improve
image resolution. It also will increase the rate of imagery
coverage of earth surfaces from every 30 minutes to every five
minutes in normal conditions — and every 30 seconds during severe
weather events. In addition, the GOES-R system will provide a
new capability for continuous monitoring of lightning events.
The ground segment of the GOES-R program encompasses receiving
and processing of satellite data, generating and distributing of
products from satellite data, and command and control of
operational satellites. Harris is the prime contractor and
systems integrator for the 10-year, potential $736 million contract.
"This milestone establishes a common understanding of the GOES-R
GS architecture, including the allocation of hardware, software and
operations," said Ray Thorpe, vice
president, GOES-R programs, Harris Government Communications
Systems. "The successful completion of this review brings us
one step closer to fielding a weather prediction system that will
give National Weather Service forecasters and government agencies
an unprecedented edge when dealing with severe weather conditions."
Members of the Harris GOES-R GS team include Atmospheric and
Environmental Research Inc., Boeing Mission Systems, Carr
Astronautics, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Wyle Information
Systems LLC, and Applied Research and Engineering Sciences.
The team is providing a service-based, open-architecture
solution to accommodate the anticipated 40-times increase in data
to be taken in, processed and distributed to more than 10,000
direct users. The first launch of a GOES-R series satellite
is scheduled for 2015.
Harris is a recognized leader in satellite ground data
processing and mission command-and-control systems. The
company's ground data processing systems consist of complex suites
of hardware and software that receive sensor data from satellites,
turning it into useable information. The company's
command-and-control systems feature commercial-off-the-shelf design
and high levels of flexibility. Designed for government and
commercial applications, they support single-satellite missions, as
well as some of the largest and most complex satellite fleets
deployed today.
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.
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.
SOURCE Harris Corporation