ITT Exelis Opens New Mine Defense Production Facility in Panama City, Florida

PANAMA CITY, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS) officially opened its full-service mine defense production facility in Panama City, Fla.

“To meet customer needs more efficiently, we required a more flexible, consolidated space”

“To meet customer needs more efficiently, we required a more flexible, consolidated space,” said Rich Sorelle, acting president of the Exelis Electronic Systems division. “With this new building, we will be better positioned to provide mine defense capabilities to the U.S. Navy and a growing number of allies.”

Naval forces depend on mine defense systems to clear sea mines from strategic waterways, which carry 90 percent of international trade. Systems produced by Exelis are heavily used by the U.S. Navy and allied forces to find and clear multiple types of sea mines during mine-clearing operations.

Exelis advanced minesweepers defeat mines and enable U.S. and allied navies to keep shipping lanes open. The Exelis multiple-influence sweep systems are towed at high speeds through deep-ocean and littoral waters by helicopters, minesweeping ships or are remotely operated during mine-clearance operations.

The Exelis mine defense business relocated from Amityville, N.Y. to Panama City, Fla. in 2005 with only a few employees. Since then, the business has grown to nearly 100 employees who develop and integrate minesweeping systems for the U.S. Navy and allied naval forces, such as the United Kingdom, South Korea and Japan. The new facility provides Exelis with 105,000 square feet for its business operations.

About ITT Exelis

ITT Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense and information solutions company with strong positions in enduring and emerging global markets. Exelis is a leader in networked communications, sensing and surveillance, electronic warfare, navigation, air traffic solutions and information systems with growing positions in cyber security, composite aerostructures, logistics and technical services. The company has a 50-year legacy of innovation and technology expertise, partnering with customers worldwide to deliver affordable, mission-critical products and services for managing global threats, conflicts and complexities. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company employs about 20,500 people and generated 2011 sales of $5.8 billion. www.exelisinc.com