Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) , an international communications and information technology company, has been awarded a three-year, $55 million follow-on production contract from Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) to supply avionics systems for the U.S. Department of Defense F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. This Low Rate Initial Production contract brings the total value of the program for Harris to more than $410 million since 2001.

Harris is providing next-generation avionics infrastructure, fiber-optic network solutions, and power supplies that are integral to the advanced capabilities of major subsystems onboard the Lockheed Martin F-35. The infrastructure and electronics are critical to providing more efficient, affordable and higher-capacity avionics capabilities than ever before.

This latest contract covers production of up to 32 additional aircraft. More than 30 aircraft are under contract to date, and plans call for more than 3,000 aircraft over the life of the F-35 program. The F-35 is a highly lethal, survivable weapon system that will serve as a cornerstone of future defense capability for the U.S. and its allied partners. It is designed to replace the A-10, the AV-8 Harrier, the F-16 and the F/A-18.

"This contract represents another significant milestone in the F-35 program, which is replacing the U.S. military's aging fleet of fighter aircraft," said Pat Seamon, vice president, Avionics and Electronics Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems. "A global leader in avionics for military aircraft, Harris continues to provide products that meet the program's technology leadership and affordability objectives."

Harris also provides advanced avionics solutions as a preferred supplier for other major new development aircraft and upgrades such as the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.