The $5.9 billion, 21,000-person company aims to augment a 50-year legacy of providing a diverse range of critical systems, components and services that help military, government and commercial customers around the world manage global threats, conflicts and complexities.
Open trading of Exelis shares on the New York Stock Exchange will commence November 1, 2011 under the ticker symbol XLS.
A leader in networked communications, sensing and surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, navigation, air traffic solutions and information systems, Exelis also enjoys growing positions in cyber security, composite aerostructures, and logistics and technical services. Legacy core strengths include tactical radios, night vision and soldier-protection systems that continue to evolve and serve the warfighter. Non-technical users may be more familiar with Exelis-enabled capabilities that improve their daily lives, like GPS-based navigation and accurate space-based weather forecasting.
“As our industry’s newest global technology leader, ITT Exelis will continue to provide customers with the world-class technologies and services they have come to expect from us,” said Exelis Chief Executive Officer and President David Melcher. “Our new corporate autonomy and streamlined structure make us even more nimble in anticipating, reacting and responding to customers’ evolving needs with affordable, ready-now solutions. Our diversified portfolio, talented global workforce operating on five continents, long-standing commitment to innovation, and customer-centered culture ensure Exelis will provide immediate value to our customers, employees and shareholders.”
In a current global security environment characterized by threats that are numerous, asymmetric and unlikely to abate, Exelis is particularly well positioned to succeed, Melcher said. “Today, ensuring access for U.S. and allied forces (with ships, aircraft and unmanned vehicles) and denying access to adversaries (through electronic warfare, ISR, missile defense and cyber technologies) are top priorities. These are all areas where Exelis has leadership positions and unique technical capabilities.”
Other signature Exelis technologies and capabilities include:
- Protection of systems and extension of capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum, like improvised explosive device jammers, tactical radios and secure smartphones.
- Networked imaging, navigation and geo-location services, including night vision imaging, GPS and surveillance and reconnaissance technologies.
- Solutions for gathering, analyzing and visualizing large data sets with applications like air traffic management solutions, space network communication systems and cyber solutions
- Solutions for critical engineering needs and logistics services, including full-spectrum base operations and support, information technology services and advanced engineering
“Our strategy to grow Exelis going forward,” Melcher said, “is to leverage our core strengths of operating efficiency, customer intimacy, technological expertise and disciplined capital management; to actively manage the portfolio while investing in new technologies and capabilities that help us expand into adjacent markets; to continue generating strong cash flow; and to build on our legacy of performance and leadership in enduring markets where we’ve demonstrated the ability to win.
