Harris
Corporation , a world leader in weather data processing
systems and integration, announced today that it has successfully
completed the initial task order and entered the first option phase of
a $7.48 million contract from the U.S. National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Ground Systems Engineering and
Depot Support (GSEDS) of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
(DMSP). The DMSP’s Polar-orbiting satellites, along with NOAA’s
National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System,
provide the U.S. with near real-time meteorological and environmental
data.

“The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program plays a crucial role
in the delivery of critical weather information to both military and
civilian agencies,” said Bob Henry, president, Harris Government
Communications Systems Division (GCSD). “This contract further
solidifies Harris’ ongoing leadership in designing, developing and
supporting advanced, space-based satellite weather systems.”

The Ground Systems segment of the DMSP encompasses those
subsystems necessary for command and control of the spacecraft and the
receipt of data, as well as the real-time telemetry that communicates
the “health” of the spacecraft and its subsystems.

Under the current phase of the contract, Harris is providing
management, maintenance, and repair of DMSP equipment. This work
comprises engineering, analysis and problem resolution of ground
system equipment interfaces; sustaining engineering support for
Command, Control, and Communications; and documentation of the item
design and manufacturing processes with Technical Data Packages
(TDPs).

The GSEDS contract, awarded to Harris GCSD’s Omaha Operation,
Omaha, Nebraska, in January 2000, contained an initial task order that
ended in January 2001. The first option period began in February 2001
and ends January 31, 2002. Three additional, 12-month option periods
will extend the contract through 2005.

Harris GCSD 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 is an international communications equipment
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 commercial and government
communications markets such as wireless, broadcast, government, and
network support. Harris has sales and service facilities in more than
90 countries. Additional information about Harris Corporation is
available at http://www.harris.com.