L3Harris Technologies to Invest $1.5M in Rhode Island for Navy Sonar Work

L3Harris Technologies will expand in Rhode Island as part of recent growth in its towed array sonar work for the U.S. Navy. Shown here is the company’s Model 980 Active Low Frequency Towed Sonar (ALOFTS). L3Harris Technologies

ASHAWAY, R.I. — L3Harris Technologies, an aerospace and defense technology company, plans to expand in Ashaway, Rhode Island, by investing $1.5 million in its operations, the company said in a Nov. 24 release. The company will add more than 40 positions and increase its manufacturing space to 92,000 square feet. 

The L3Harris facility develops and manufactures technology the U.S. Navy uses in submarines for surveillance and detection. The expansion will support the Navy’s recent contract award of $31 million for L3Harris to build next-generation towed sonar systems for submarines. The facility expansion will be equipped with state-of-the-art sonar array manufacturing and environmental test equipment to enhance the product’s overall performance. 

“The Ashaway facility expansion represents a long-standing commitment to meeting the Navy’s current and future needs and creating job opportunities in Rhode Island,” said Scott Tilden, vice president and general manager, Maritime Sensors, L3Harris. “This facility has an exceptional record of designing, developing, and manufacturing undersea sensors, which is one of the exciting reasons we continue to invest and expand operations in the state.” 

L3Harris’ Ashaway location has provided undersea sensor systems since 1991, including the TB-29C and TB-34A towed array sonars. Other support to the Navy includes providing integrated solutions for ship monitoring, ship defense sensors, submarine electronics and acoustic sensors for unmanned vehicles. 

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