Harris Corporation

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Harris Corporation
Public
Traded as NYSE: HRS
S&P 500 Component
Industry Telecommunications equipment
Founded 1895 (1895)
Founder Alfred S. Harris
Headquarters Melbourne, Florida,
United States
Key people
 William M. Brown, Chairman, President and CEO
Products Defense and Communications
Revenue Decrease US$5012.0 million (2014)[1]
Increase US$795.4 million (2014)[1]
Increase US$534.2 million (2014)[1]
Total assets Increase US$4931.2 million (2014)[1]
Total equity Increase US$1825.4 million (2014)[1]
Number of employees
 23,000 (2015)[2]
Divisions RF Communications, Integrated Network Solutions, Government Communications Systems
Website www.harris.com

Harris Corporation is an American communications company, defense contractor and information technology services provider that produces wireless equipment, tactical radios, electronic systems, night vision equipment and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense and commercial sectors. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $8 billion of annual revenue and more than 23,000 employees — including 9,000 engineers and scientists.[3]

The company is the largest private-sector employer in Brevard County, Florida (approximately 6000).[4] The company was the parent of Intersil (Harris Semiconductor). Most of the wireless start-ups in South Brevard County were founded and are staffed by former Harris Corporation engineers and technicians.[citation needed] The company's Digital Telephone Systems (DTS) division was sold to Teltronics.

In June 2015, Harris acquired Exelis Inc. and subsequently reorganized the company.

In 2014, Harris was named one of the top 100 federal contractors by Defense News.[5]

In January 2015, Wired Magazine ranked Harris Corporation — tied with U.S. Marshals Service — as the number two threat to privacy and communications on the Internet.[6]

History

Harris MR80C88 processor.

The "Harris Automatic Press Company" was founded by Alfred S. Harris in Niles, Ohio in 1895. The company spent the next 60 years developing lithographic processes and printing presses before acquiring typesetting company Intertype Corporation. In 1957, Harris acquired Gates Radio, a producer of broadcast transmitters and associated electronics gear, but kept the Gates brand name alive by putting the Gates sticker on the back of numerous transmitters that were labeled Harris on the front panels.

In 1959, they acquired microwave technology company PRD Electronics of Brooklyn, New York.[citation needed]

In 1960, they merged with Radiation, Inc. of Melbourne, Florida, a developer of antenna, integrated circuit, and modem technology used in the space race. The company headquarters was moved from Cleveland to Melbourne in 1978.[citation needed]

In 1969, Harris Corporation acquired RF Communications and Farinon, furthering its microwave assets. The printing operations were sold off in 1983 and are now known as GSS Printing Equipment. GSS Printing Equipment later acquired Lanier Worldwide, which itself was spun off from Harris Corporation in the late 1990s.[citation needed][clarification needed]

In 1988, Harris acquired GE’s semiconductor business, which at this time, also incorporated the Intersil and RCA semiconductor businesses. These were combined with Harris' existing semiconductor businesses, which were then spun off in 1999 as an independent company, under the Intersil name.

In 1996, Harris Corporation formed a joint venture with Shenzhen Telecom Company to produce and sell Harris’ digital microwave radios and integrate them with other systems.[citation needed][clarification needed]

In November 1998, Harris sold its commercial and standard military logic (semiconductor) product lines to Texas Instruments, which included the HC/HCT, CD4000, AC/ACT, and FCT product families. Harris retained production of the Radiation Hardened versions of these products.

In 2005, the corporation spent $870 million on research and development.[7]

In January 2011 Harris re-opened its Calgary, Alberta avionics operation, Harris Canada Inc.. The expanded facility's operations include among others the support of the work to be completed under the company's six-year, $273 million (CAD) services contract with the Government of Canada for the CF-18 Avionics Optimized Weapon System Support (OWSS) program.[8]

On December 2012, Harris Corporation sold its broadcast equipment operations to the Gores Group which operates as Harris Broadcast.[9] Harris received $225M for the transaction, exactly half of what it paid seven years earlier for Leitch Technology, its final acquisition for the Broadcast division.[10]

In July 2015, Harris Corporation sold its healthcare division, Harris Healthcare Solutions, to NantHealth. [11]

Chief executives

Chief executives
Name Title Tenure
Alfred S. Harris President 1895–1947
Vernon Mitchell 1947–1955
George S. Dively Chairman & CEO 1955–1972
Richard B. Tullis Chairman & CEO 1972–1978
Joseph A. Boyd Chairman & CEO 1978–1987
John T. Hartley Chairman & CEO 1987 – June 1995
Phillip W. Farmer Chairman, CEO & President July 1995 – January 2003
Howard L. Lance Chairman, CEO & President February 2003 – October 2011
William M. Brown Chairman, CEO & President November 2011 – present

Board of directors

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  • William M. Brown; Chairman, CEO & President
  • Peter W. Chiarelli
  • Thomas A. Dattilo
  • Terry D. Growcock
  • Lewis Hay III
  • Vyomesh I. Joshi
  • Karen Katen
  • Stephen P. Kaufman
  • Leslie F. Kenne
  • David B. Rickard
  • Dr. James C. Stoffel
  • Gregory T. Swienton
  • Hansel E. Tookes II

Business Segments

Communication Systems

The Harris Communication Systems segment serves markets in tactical and airborne radios, night vision technology and defense and public safety networks.

CapRock Communications

Harris CapRock Communications provides managed communications services in remote and harsh locations for energy, maritime and government customers. It uses a combination of a dozen teleports on six continents and links from more than 60 satellites to connect remote customers.[12] CapRock signed a 5 year deal in 2012 with Royal Caribbean International to improve satellite broadband connectivity across their entire fleet of cruise liners.[13][14]

Government Communications Systems

Harris Government Communications Systems produces communications and information networks for military and government customers as well as provides the technology base for products for commercial customers. GCS also conducts advanced research, develops prototypes and provides technical services.[15]

Critical Networks

The Harris Critical Networks segment provides managed services for air traffic management, energy and maritime communications and ground network operation and sustainment as well as Information Technology and engineering services.

Electronic Systems

The Harris Electronic Systems segment provides products and services in electronic warfare, avionics, wireless technology, C4I, undersea systems and aerostructures.

Electronic Systems (ES) division provides the "ALQ-214" radio frequency jamming equipment for the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. The ALQ-214 was originally developed by Exelis ES, which Harris acquired in 2015.[16] ES is also a provider of components in the avionics package and targeting systems for the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 and EA-18 Growlers.[17]

Space and Intelligence Systems

The Harris Space and Intelligence Systems segment provides capabilities in Earth observation, weather, geospatial monitoring, space protection and intelligence, including sensors and payloads, ground processing and information analytics.[18]

Cell-site simulators

Harris Corporation produces multiple cell-site simulator products, such as the StingRay, and Hailstorm phone trackers (see table below); These masquerade as legitimate cellphone towers duping mobile devices to connect to them instead of real cellular networks, so all wireless voice and data traffic originating in a given area are intercepted by the systems, enabling Stingray operators to conduct mass surveillance and triangulate the position of mobile devices.[19][20][21]

Originally developed for the U.S. Navy, and later used in the global "war on terror" outside the US, they've increasingly been used by US police agencies.[22] More than six U.S. federal agencies use these platforms, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says at least 53 law enforcement agencies in 21 states, use this or similar devices.[23]

These platforms are controversial[24][25] as they surveil communications of all mobile devices in their vicinity, including those of individuals not suspected of any crimes.[26][27] Harris have been criticized by civil rights advocates for requiring local municipalities, police and state governments to enter into non-disclosure agreements (NDA)[28] and to conceal usage of these platforms from citizens and the courts.[29][30] Such NDA may violate public record and open access laws. The ACLU, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed two successful civil lawsuits over denied Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and violations of the public records laws of Florida.[31][32][33]

In September of 2014, as a result of successful litigation, ACLU received documents and emails between Harris Corporation and the Federal Communications Commission relating to FCC approval of Harris' surveillance systems.[34] ACLU then sent a letter to FCC stating, in their view, Harris mislead FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff during the regulatory review process by falsely claiming the systems were only used in emergency situations and not criminal investigations.[35]

In 2006, Harris employees directly conducted wireless surveillance using StingRay units on behalf the Palm Bay Police Department — where Harris has a campus[36] — in response to a bomb threat against a middle school. The search was conducted without a warrant or Judicial oversight.[37][38][39][40]

In 2015 Santa Clara County withdrew from contract negotiations with Harris for StingRay units, noting the reason was the onerous restrictions imposed by Harris on what could be released under public records requests.[41]

Mobile Phone Monitoring Products from Harris Corp.[42][43][44][45]
Product Introduced Cost Features
Stingray 2001 $68,479 IMSI-catcher. Gathers information from mobile phones including location and metadata
Stingray II 2007 $134,952 IMSI-catcher. Gathers information from mobile phones including location and metadata
Kingfish 2003 $25,349 Surveillance transceiver for tracking mobile phones
Amberjack 2002 $35,015 Directional antenna used to help track mobile phones; used in conjunction with Stingray, Gossamer and Kingfish
Harpoon 2008 $16,000-$19,000 Linear amplifier to boost the signal of a Stingray or Kingfish
Hailstorm ? $169,602 IMSI catcher. Gathers information from mobile phones including location and metadata. Also can intercept content.
Gossamer 2001 $19,696 IMSI catcher, smaller than Stingray, can be used for denial-of-service attacks on phones.
Triggerfish 1997 $90,000-$102,000 Intercepts mobile conversations in real time. May be obsolete

List of Harris acquisitions

Below is a list of all Harris acquisitions, starting in 1995.

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  • Exelis Inc. (2015)[46]
  • Carefx (2011)
  • Schlumberger Global Communications Services (GCS) Division (2011)
  • CapRock Communications (2010)[47]
  • SignaCert (2010)*[48]
  • SolaCom ATC Solutions (2009)
  • Tyco Electronics (MA-COM) Wireless Systems (2009)
  • Crucial Security, Inc. (2009)
  • Zandar Technologies Ltd. (2007)
  • Multimax (2007)
  • Aastra Digital Video (2006)
  • Optimal Solutions, Inc. (2006)
  • Leitch Technology (2005)
  • Orkand Corporation (2004 – Now Harris IT Services)
  • Encoda Systems (2004)
  • ImageLinks, Inc. (2004)
  • Hirschmann Multimedia Communications Network (2001)
  • Exigent International, Inc. (2001)
  • Wavtrace, Inc. (2000)
  • Lucent Technologies' Point-to-Point Microwave Business (2000)
  • Louth Automation (2000)
  • Audio Broadcast Group, Inc. (1999)
  • Pacific Research & Engineering Corporation (1999)
  • CHOICE Microsystems (1999)
  • Intraplex, Inc. (1999)
  • Agfa Copying Systems, Inc. (1998)
  • Trans-Comp, Inc. (1998 – Spun off with Lanier Worldwide)
  • Northeast Broadcast Lab (1997)
  • NovAtel Communications (1995)
  • Triplett Corporation's Cellular and Telecommunications Business (1995)

Prior to 1995

Some acquisition prior to 1995 include:

  • Fairnon (1969)
  • PRD Electronics (1959)
  • Gates Radio (1957)
  • Intertype Corporation (1957)

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Harris Corporation, July 2015
  4. ↑ Brevard County Public Schools, 10 October 2013
  5. ↑ http://special.defensenews.com/top-100/
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Leitch agrees to $450 million acquisition by Harris, BroadcastEngineering, 1 September 2005
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ "Royal Caribbean Broadens Bandwidth Horizons". InformationWeek. Retrieved on 31 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "Royal Caribbean International to roll out faster Internet to more ships this fall". tribunedigital-sunsentinel. Retrieved on 31 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Harris Corporation, "Government Communications Division". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  16. ↑ Tomkins, Richard (21 August, 2015). "Navy orders more RF-jammers for its F/A-18s". United Press International. upi.com. Retrieved: 28 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Harris Corporation upgrading avionics of fighter aircraft - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved on 31 August 2015.
  18. ↑ Harris Corporation. "Harris Corporation Announces New Organizational Structure". harris.com.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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