15 Feb 2007
MELBOURNE, Florida, February 15, 2007 — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) and BAE Systems have successfully demonstrated the first Highband Networking Radio system featuring directive beam technology – an approach that extends the radio’s range, improves throughput, and enhances spectrum efficiency.
The Harris-BAE Systems team successfully demonstrated a self-forming, self-healing, mobile backbone network utilizing the Highband Networking Radio (HNR), co-developed by Harris and BAE Systems. The demonstration was conducted January 25 and 26 in a 500-square-kilometer area surrounding Melbourne, Florida. Attendees included representatives from all branches of the U.S. armed forces and from companies involved in large-system integration.
"This week’s demo proves that true, ad-hoc mobile networking is now available," said Sheldon Fox, vice president and general manager of Department of Defense Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems Division. "HNR provides the unique capability of a high-throughput, mesh network that can be used in both mobile and static operations. This system is an excellent example of our companies’ commitment to developing leading-edge technologies with broad applications for military network-centric communications."
“This successful demonstration underscores our joint commitment to providing innovative solutions in wide-band networked mobile communications to the war fighter,” said Jeff Markel, president of Network Enabled Solutions for BAE Systems.
The demonstration included the full range of HNR system capabilities, including voiceover IP, video teleconferencing, high-definition video, and e-mail transmission at speeds of more than 30 megabits per second. Using the Army’s joint network nodes to simulate multiple battalion-level tactical operations centers linked back to a simulated command center, the HNR demonstrated both static and mobile backbone communications links for Army units dispersed throughout a 500-square-kilometer urban environment. In addition, mobile satellite communications, secure wireless local-area network (LAN) communications, and tactical voice communications were seamlessly integrated into the network and linked to a General Dynamics facility in Taunton, Massachusetts, via a Ku-band satellite.
The HNR is the first product to provide fully mobile, high-bandwidth, long-range, line-of-sight connectivity between users of widely dispersed LANs. The versatile system is configurable enough for small combat unit applications as well as for Army division/brigade/battalion network backbone applications. It operates with equal effectiveness in fixed, at-the-halt, or on-the-move applications. Designed for ease and speed-of-use, the HNR requires only power-up to establish a mobile, ad-hoc networking mesh, thereby helping to reduce manpower and simplify operations.
Programs with potential HNR applications include the U.S. Army’s Warfighter Information Network–Tactical, Future Combat Systems, and Joint Network Node; the U.S. Navy's transformational FORCEnet program; the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System; and the U.S. Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $22 billion, excluding the group's former interest in Airbus. Additional information about BAE Systems is available at www.baesystems.com
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, Fla., the company has annual sales of about $4 billion and about more than 14,000 employees — including more than 6,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class products, systems, and services for global markets, including government communications, RF communications, broadcast communications, and wireless transmission network solutions. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com
For further information, please contact:
Jim Mallon, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 973 633 4385 Mobile: +1 868 228 4273
james.mallon@baesystems.com
Sleighton Meyer, Harris Corporation
Government Communications Systems Division
Tel: +1 321 724 6514
sleighton.meyer@harris.com
Brent Dietz, Harris Corporation
Corporate Headquarters
Tel: +1 321 724 3554
brent.dietz@harris.com
