Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has received a two-year, $19 million full-rate production contract to provide key avionics components that will enhance flight crews' targeting capabilities on the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft.

The Distributed Targeting System will significantly improve the aircraft's networking capabilities, enhance targeting precision and shorten the time period from target sensing to shooting.

“Start of full-rate production is a key milestone in the F/A-18 E/F Network Centric Warfare Upgrades program. Upgrading the mission- and image-processing prowess of the Super Hornet will help ensure that it continues to be the primary fighter aircraft for the U.S. Navy,” said Ed Zoiss, Vice President and General Manager, Defense Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems.

The company hosted a rally and the Boeing F/A-18 cockpit demonstrator at its facilities in Palm Bay, Florida on April 25 that was attended by approximately 500 employees and VIPs. Harris has approximately 150 employees in Palm Bay, who support the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler platforms.

“The Super Hornet brings critical capability to naval aviation and our national security, and is vital to the U.S. economy. Harris is a key supplier of advanced avionics for these aircraft,” said Mike Gibbons, F/A-18 Program Vice President, Boeing.

The combat-proven Super Hornet provides unequaled air dominance and precision strike capability. The EA-18G Growler, derived from the Super Hornet, is the United States' newest and most advanced airborne electronic attack platform. The Super Hornet and Growler programs support 60,000 jobs in the U.S., with 800 suppliers in 44 states and account for $3 billion in annual economic impact.