Updated July 10 at 1:29 p.m.
WASHINGTON – After closing its $4.75 billion acquisition of Exelis, Harris Corp. announced July 1 a reorganization of its business units, a change that gives new responsibilities to two senior executives.
The new structure, which took effect July 4, includes four business segments: Communication Systems, Critical Networks, Electronic Systems, and Space and Intelligence systems.
Bill Gattle, previously vice president and general manager of Harris’ National Systems business unit, is now president of the Space and Intelligence Systems business. That segment will include activities related to Earth observation, weather forecasting, geospatial intelligence, space protection, intelligence solutions from advanced sensors and payloads, and ground processing and information analytics. This unit, which will be based in Palm Bay, Florida, also will include the GPS navigation payloads, currently used by Lockheed Martin for the Air Force’s next generation GPS 3 satellites.
Chris Young, the former head of Exelis’s primary space business division, Geospatial Systems, will lead the Communication Systems segment. That business, which will be based in Rochester, New York, will include tactical and airborne radios, night vision technology, and defense and public safety networks.
“We combined Harris’ and Exelis’ top talent and technology to create four market-focused segments aligned with Harris’ strategic growth platforms,” Bill Brown, Harris chairman, president and chief executive, said in a July 1 statement. “Our new structure will help us improve our competitive position, increase efficiency, and capture synergies, while we continue to bring innovative and affordable solutions to our customers.”
