Harris to develop broadband communications for Navy ships

Harris Corp. will provide the Navy with high-speed, multiband satellite communications terminals for its cruisers and destroyers under a five-year contract with an initial award of $17.5 million. The contract has a potential value of $77 million.

Under the task order contract, Harris will supply as many as 55 1.3-meter satellite communications terminals for the Navy's Commercial Broadband Satellite Program.

The Navy views the SATCOM terminals' higher bandwidth capacity as a morale booster because they provide high-speed Internet access and video communications onboard destroyers and other unit-level ships, which carry as many as 300 sailors and other military personnel, said Wes Covell, president of Harris Defense Programs.

Last month, Harris announced that it had been selected by the Navy to provide similar broadband SATCOM terminals for aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships under the same Commercial Broadband Satellite Program.

Harris, of Melbourne, Fla., ranks No. 13 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.