MELBOURNE, Fla. & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harris Booth #511--Four more major U.S. airlines plan to equip their aircraft with digital avionics as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) NextGen Data Communications Integrated Services contract, Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) announced during the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) conference being held October 20-23 at the Gaylord National in Washington, DC.
The announcement signals the FAA’s significant progress toward reaching its initial goal for transitioning from voice-only to digital data communications between pilots and air traffic controllers. The commitments to date represent 80 percent of the FAA’s goals for avionics equipage. Harris previously announced that United Airlines was the first of the five major U.S. carriers to commit to equipping its planes.
Data Communications will make it possible to transition communications between air traffic controllers and airline cockpit crews from voice-only to data, which will relieve capacity constraints on voice channels as well as reduce the likelihood of communication errors. This will vastly improve the efficiency of FAA operations and enable capabilities that are not available today. Benefits of the program will include fuels savings and reduced emissions.
“Early commitments by major U.S. carriers confirm the benefits of avionics equipage and builds momentum for other airlines to join the program,” said John O’Sullivan, vice president, NextGen Initiatives for Civil Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems. Attaining 80 percent of our six-year goal in the first year of the program presents phenomenal progress.
About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 125 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and about 14,000 employees – including 6,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at harris.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
