FTI Network is Now Online, Delivering Vital Voice and Data Communications Services to the FAA at Significant Cost Savings

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) today announced that the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) network is now online enabling the secure and efficient transmission of voice, data, radar, weather and other information critical to the operations of the FAA at significant cost savings. Harris is the prime contractor and system architect for the FTI network, which will save the FAA hundreds of millions of dollars during the 15-year program. The announcement was made during a press briefing hosted by Harris at the 51st Annual Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) Conference and Exposition (Harris Booth #415) being held October 29 through November 1, 2006 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC.

"The FTI architecture assures efficiency, security, scalability, and reliability in the modern aviation environment, and provides much-needed upgrades to a decade-old telecommunications network," said Jeremy Wensinger, group president of Integrated Systems and Services for Harris Government Communications Systems Division. "FTI is not simply a replacement initiative -- approximately 20 percent of the current program includes additional requirements such as new control towers and communications services."

During the press briefing, Mr. Wensinger outlined the status of key components of the FTI network, the largest non-military network in the U.S. government:

     - 85 percent of the FAA's 400 major control sites have been completed and
       are now online, providing the critical communications services required
       for weather information and flight services throughout the NAS
     - The FTI satellite network (FTI-SAT) was competed on schedule and is now
       online, providing the FAA with a "best value" solution as part of an
       initiative to reduce more costly earth/satellite stations and deploy a
       more cost-effective mix of satellite, microwave and landline services
     - The FTI Mission Support network was completed ahead of schedule in June
       2006 and is now online, transporting administrative functions such as
       payroll and e-mail to most of the FAA's 50,000 employees at more than
       800 sites across the U.S.
     - The Harris Network Operations Control Center is now online, monitoring
       75,000 pieces of communications and managing a field maintenance
       workforce of 500-plus people nationwide, 24/7
     - The FAA Bulk Weather Telecommunications Gateway is now online and
       providing FAA Air Traffic Control centers nationwide with a
       continuously updated, common picture of weather throughout the NAS
     - More than 90 percent of the FAA's IP traffic is now online and running
       on the FTI operational IP backbone.  This supports the agency's future
       requirements for IP connectivity necessary for the establishment of the
       Next Generation Air Traffic System (NGATS)

"FTI is now online and operational, bringing a modern, more affordable communications network to the FAA," added Wensinger. "Each additional step we take toward transitioning the legacy networks to the FTI network increases the savings and efficiency of this vital component of the National Airspace System (NAS)."

Harris is leading a team of top telecommunications companies consisting of AT&T, BellSouth Corporation, Qwest Communications International, Sprint, Verizon Communications, and Raytheon Technical Services. The team is supporting the FAA in replacing the Leased Interfacility NAS Communications System (LINCS), the Data Multiplexing Network, the Bandwidth Manager, and the National Aviation Data Interchange Network with an integrated telecommunications infrastructure. Requirements include upgrading switching and routing services, improving network monitoring and control, implementing a state-of-the-art security system, and providing network engineering services.

Harris Government Communications Systems Division conducts advanced research studies, develops prototypes, and produces and supports state-of-the- art, assured communications(TM) solutions and information systems that solve the mission-critical challenges of its military and government customers, while serving as the technology base for the company's diverse commercial businesses. Harris Corporation is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. With headquarters in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual sales of $3.5 billion and nearly 14,000 employees, including more than 6,000 engineers and scientists. The company's four operating divisions serve markets for government communications, RF communications, broadcast communications, and microwave communications. For more information, visit http://www.harris.com.

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