Exelis Competitive Intelligence & Landscape
exelisinc.com ·
Overview
Exelis Overview
Exelis served a broad target market primarily encompassing government agencies, defense departments, and commercial aerospace entities globally. Their sophisticated products and services were designed to enhance national security, improve battlefield awareness, and enable precise decision-making in critical environments. Key product categories included specialized sensors, electronic warfare systems, advanced communications equipment, and air traffic control solutions, all engineered to meet stringent performance and reliability standards.
The company's journey as an independent entity began with its spin-off from ITT Corporation in 2011, establishing its headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Following its inception, Exelis quickly solidified its position as a significant player in the defense industry, leveraging decades of technological expertise. At its peak, the company was a substantial employer, though specific historical employee numbers on exelisinc.com are not readily available in public archives.
Exelis' mission was to deliver innovative, affordable, and decisive solutions that provided customers with a competitive advantage and addressed complex global challenges.
In 2015, Exelis was acquired by the Harris Corporation, effectively ceasing its independent operations under the Exelis brand. This acquisition marked a significant consolidation within the aerospace and defense sector, integrating Exelis' advanced capabilities and product lines into Harris Corporation's extensive portfolio. Although no longer an independent entity, Exelis' legacy continues through the technologies and innovations it contributed to the defense and aerospace industries during its operational years.
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Competitors
Exelis Competitors
Another prominent competitor is Battelle Memorial Institute. This organization focuses on scientific research and development, offering solutions in areas like national security, health and life sciences, and energy. While perhaps not a direct feature-for-feature competitor in all Exelis's product lines, Battelle competes for government and defense contracts requiring advanced scientific and technological solutions, positioning itself as a research and development powerhouse.
Engility (now part of SAIC) was also a significant competitor, offering specialized services in areas such as engineering, mission support, and IT. Before its acquisition, Engility competed directly with Exelis for government and defense contracts. Its market positioning focused on providing highly specialized technical and professional services to federal agencies, often in direct competition for the same client base as Exelis.
Harris Corporation and Motorola Solutions, Inc. are also identified as competitors for Exelis.
Harris Corporation ultimately acquired Exelis for $4.75 billion in 2015 [source], indicating a direct competitive relationship before the acquisition.
Motorola Solutions, Inc., known for its communications equipment and services, competes with Exelis in areas like broadband communications and related solutions for various industries, including government and public safety. These companies offer robust product portfolios and extensive market reach, challenging Exelis in terms of market share and technological advancements in specific domains.
Other notable competitors include BAE Systems, a global defense, security, and aerospace company [source].
BAE Systems competes with Exelis in various defense and aerospace product categories, leveraging its broad portfolio of advanced technology solutions, including electronic systems, combat vehicles, and cybersecurity. Its extensive global presence and diverse offerings make it a formidable competitor in the defense sector, often vying for similar large-scale contracts and government projects as Exelis.
Sources
Exelis Competitors | Comparably
comparably.com
Exelis’s Competitors, Revenue, Number of Employees, Funding, Acquisitions & News - Owler Company Profile
owler.com
Exelis - Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees, Headquarters Locations
cbinsights.com
Exelis - 2026 Company Profile, Team, Funding, Competitors & Financials - Tracxn
tracxn.com
Exelis Company Overview, Contact Details & Competitors | LeadIQ
leadiq.com
Exelis Company Overview, Contact Details & Competitors | LeadIQ
leadiq.com
Exelis Advanced Engineering & Sciences International Inc. Competitors and Similar Companies - Zippia
zippia.com
Exelis, Inc.:Company Profile & Technical Research,Competitor Monitor,Market Trends - Discovery | PatSnap
discovery.patsnap.com
Exelis Inc. - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Exelis Inc.
linkedin.com
Product & Pricing
Exelis Product and Pricing Intelligence
Ad Campaigns
Exelis Ad Campaigns
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Hiring & Layoffs
Exelis Hiring and Layoffs
Historically, Exelis was a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense, information and technical services company. Its strategic focus and hiring patterns would have reflected the needs of these sectors, likely emphasizing engineering, cybersecurity, defense technology, and project management roles to support government and commercial contracts.
The current redirection to L3Harris.com implies that any hiring or layoff activities previously associated with Exelis would now be subsumed under L3Harris Technologies. Therefore, analyzing the hiring patterns of L3Harris Technologies would provide more relevant insights into the strategic direction and workforce changes of the combined entity, rather than focusing on Exelis independently.
Leadership
Exelis Management and Leadership Team
While specific details on the most recent leadership changes and individual board members are often dynamic and found in annual reports or investor relations sections, historical C-suite leadership at Exelis focused on areas critical to its business, such as advanced communications, electronic warfare, and geospatial systems. These roles would typically include a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and heads of various business segments, reflecting the company's diverse portfolio of offerings.
Notable hires and changes in the leadership team at Exelis generally aimed to bolster its capabilities in emerging technologies, enhance operational efficiency, and expand its global footprint. These strategic appointments were crucial in maintaining Exelis's competitive edge and ensuring its continued success in delivering critical solutions to its customers worldwide.
Financials
Exelis Financial Performance, Fundraising, M&A
Historically, companies similar to Exelis in the defense technology space have been involved in significant M&A activities, both as acquirers and targets. This is common as the industry consolidates to achieve scale, expand capabilities, and gain market share. Fundraising for such entities often comes from institutional investors, private equity, and public markets if they are publicly traded, rather than typical venture capital rounds.
Without direct financial statements or press releases from Exelis (exelisinc.com) itself, detailed revenue figures, specific funding rounds, or valuation metrics are difficult to ascertain. However, given its domain and the historical context of similar companies, it's reasonable to infer that its financial operations would have been substantial and strategically aligned with the broader defense and technology industries.
Partnerships
Exelis Partnerships, Clients and Vendors
Prior to its acquisition by Harris Corporation in 2015, Exelis was involved in critical defense programs, indicating partnerships and client relationships with major governmental bodies and prime contractors. For example, their work on advanced electronic warfare systems, air traffic management, and geospatial solutions would necessitate collaborations with other defense firms, technology developers, and relevant government departments such as the U.S. Department of Defense. These integrations often involve highly specialized technology and long-term strategic alliances.
Given the nature of its business, Exelis's ecosystem would have included a range of suppliers providing components, software, and specialized services essential for their products and solutions. Similarly, its client base would have extended to various international governments and commercial entities requiring advanced defense and security technologies. While precise names of individual clients and vendors for Exelis (exelisinc.com) are challenging to isolate post-acquisition without specific historical records, their operational scope inherently points to a robust network of enterprise clients and technology partners within the aerospace and defense industry.
Events
Exelis Event Participations
It is reasonable to infer that Exelis would have participated in prominent events within the defense and aerospace industries, such as the Farnborough International Airshow, Paris Air Show, AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition, and various industry-specific symposia focusing on topics like electronic warfare, geospatial intelligence, and air traffic management. These platforms are crucial for companies like Exelis to demonstrate their capabilities in areas such as ITT Exelis solutions, advanced sensing, processing, and decision-making technologies.
Furthermore, given their focus on innovation and technology, Exelis likely engaged in events that facilitated discussions around cyber security, critical infrastructure protection, and information systems. Participation might have also extended to academic conferences or industry forums where research and development in these specialized fields were presented, allowing them to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and recruit top talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current operational status of Exelis as an independent entity, given its domain redirects to L3Harris.com?
Exelis is no longer an independent operational entity. Its domain, exelisinc.com, now redirects to L3Harris.com, indicating that its operations have been subsumed under L3Harris Technologies following its acquisition by Harris Corporation in 2015.
How did Exelis's origin as a spin-off influence its market positioning and strategic focus?
Exelis originated as the defense and information solutions division of ITT Corporation in 2011, establishing it as an American aerospace and defense company. This background immediately positioned Exelis as a significant player in providing advanced technology solutions for global defense, security, and aerospace markets, focusing on areas like electronic warfare and C4ISR.
What were the primary market sectors Exelis served, and what types of solutions did it offer?
Exelis primarily served government agencies, defense departments, and commercial aerospace entities globally. The company offered advanced technology solutions including aerospace systems, electronic warfare, C4ISR solutions, and geospatial intelligence, essential for applications from air traffic management to complex military operations.
What does the lack of current hiring information for Exelis imply about its workforce strategy?
The lack of current hiring information directly from Exelis implies that it no longer maintains an independent workforce strategy. Any hiring or layoff activities previously associated with Exelis would now be integrated under L3Harris Technologies, following its acquisition by Harris Corporation.
What types of industry events would Exelis likely have participated in, considering its business in aerospace and defense?
Given its focus on aerospace, defense, and information solutions, Exelis would likely have participated in major industry trade shows such as the Farnborough International Airshow, Paris Air Show, and AUSA Annual Meeting. These events would have been crucial for showcasing technologies in areas like electronic warfare and geospatial intelligence, and for networking.
How did Exelis compete in the market before its acquisition, particularly against companies like SAIC and Engility?
Before its acquisition, Exelis competed by offering advanced technology solutions in defense and government contracting, including C4ISR and electronic warfare systems. It vied with companies like SAIC and Engility (now part of SAIC) for government and defense contracts, leveraging its specialized technical and professional services.
What does the acquisition of Exelis by Harris Corporation in 2015 indicate about consolidation trends in the aerospace and defense sector?
The acquisition of Exelis by Harris Corporation for $4.75 billion in 2015 signifies a significant consolidation trend within the aerospace and defense sector. This move aimed to achieve scale, expand capabilities, and gain market share by integrating Exelis's advanced product lines into Harris Corporation's portfolio.
What impact did Exelis's focus on national security and battlefield awareness have on its product development and strategic direction?
Exelis's focus on national security and battlefield awareness directly shaped its product development and strategic direction. The company engineered specialized sensors, electronic warfare systems, advanced communications, and air traffic control solutions to enhance national security, improve battlefield awareness, and enable precise decision-making.
How did Exelis's legacy continue after its acquisition, despite ceasing independent operations?
Exelis's legacy continued through the technologies and innovations it contributed to the defense and aerospace industries. After its acquisition by Harris Corporation, Exelis's advanced capabilities and product lines were integrated into Harris Corporation's extensive portfolio, now part of L3Harris Technologies.
What kind of financial operations would have been typical for a company like Exelis in the defense technology space?
A company like Exelis in the defense technology space would typically have substantial financial operations, primarily generating revenue through long-term government contracts and commercial sales. Its financial health would have been closely tied to government spending and technological advancements, with fundraising likely coming from institutional investors and public markets.
What alternatives exist for clients who previously sought C4ISR products and technical services from Exelis?
Clients who previously sought C4ISR products and technical services from Exelis now have alternatives such as L3Harris Technologies, which absorbed Exelis's product lines after the acquisition. Other alternatives in the broader defense and aerospace sectors include BAE Systems and, for specialized aviation operational efficiency, L3Harris Symphony® for Airports by PASSUR Aerospace.
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