Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Communications Network (GCN)

Harris has been delivering communication solutions for missile defense since the inception of Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) under then President Ronald Reagan.

Harris is providing communications engineering support to the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Communications Network (GCN). Harris engineers are providing technical support for the design and development of the GMD Fire Control and Communications (FC&C) network including the military and commercial satellite communications satellite systems that provides the backbone for it’s global communications capability. The FC&C network closely integrates various technologies and engineering disciplines to form a cohesive network that gives military commanders the ability to rapidly make and execute accurate and informed decisions. The CONUS portion of the GCN ring was recently completed. This ring is the largest synchronous optical networking ring in the world that includes more than 20,000 miles of fiber crossing 30 States and will connect all GMD sites.