Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has successfully completed system qualification testing of a satellite terminal that will provide U.S. Navy personnel onboard frigates, cruisers and destroyers with access to the Internet, video and other broadband services. Completion of the testing moves the Commercial Broadband Satellite Program (CBSP) Unit Level Variant (ULV) contract into the initial production phase.

Under the contract, Harris will supply as many as 55 advanced, 1.3-meter satellite communications terminals with X- and Ku-band capabilities. With 10 times the bandwidth currently accessible onboard Navy ships, the terminals will enable the Navy to augment MILSATCOM by supporting essential mission requirements and providing high-speed Internet access and video communications to frigates and other Unit Level classified ships. Harris was awarded the five-year, potential US$77 million, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract in 2008, and delivered the first terminal for qualification testing in just six months. The CBSP program is a Rapid Deployment Capability acquisition designed to reduce the time required to deliver critical/emerging warfighting capabilities.