ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
We have described many of the trends and other factors that we believe could impact our business and future results in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Report. In addition, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity are subject to, and could be materially adversely affected by, various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those set forth below, any one of which could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or our anticipated future results.
COVID-Related Risks
The effects of COVID could have a material adverse effect on our business operations, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
The COVID pandemic and the emergence and spread of more transmissible variants, and ongoing attempts to contain and reduce its spread, such as mandatory closures, “shelter-in-place” orders, vaccine programs and mandates and travel and quarantine restrictions, have caused significant volatility, uncertainty, disruption and other adverse effects on the U.S. and global economies, including impacts to supply chains, customer demand, workforce, international trade and capital markets. These effects have adversely affected certain of our business operations, may further adversely affect our business operations and may materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Our response to COVID and related impacts has involved increasing our focus on keeping our employees safe while striving to maintain continuity of operations, meet customer commitments and support suppliers. For example, we instituted numerous types of precautions, protocols and other arrangements designed to protect employees from COVID infections and to comply with applicable regulations, and we have also maintained an active dialog, and in some cases developed plans, with key suppliers in an effort to mitigate supply chain risks or otherwise minimize the potential impact from those risks. On September 9, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order mandating U.S.-based government contractor employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID unless a religious or medical exemption applies. We took steps to comply with the executive order until it was enjoined by a federal court in December 2021. If the executive order is reinstated on appeal, or new mandates are implemented, it is uncertain to what extent compliance with any such vaccine mandates may result in adverse impacts, such as employee attrition for us or our subcontractors, or reduced morale or efficiency. The U.S. Government response to COVID also has included identifying the Defense Industrial Base as a Critical Infrastructure Sector and enhancing cash flow and liquidity for the Defense Industrial Base, such as by increasing progress payments and accelerating contract awards, which enabled us to keep our U.S. production facilities largely operational in support of national security commitments to U.S. Government customers (as part of the Defense Industrial Base) and to accelerate payments to small business suppliers, which we expect to continue while the U.S. Government’s responsive actions remain in effect.
Although we believe that a large percentage of our revenue, earnings and cash flow that is derived from sales to the U.S. Government, both directly and through prime contractors, will be relatively predictable, in part due to the U.S. Government’s responsive actions described above, our commercial and international businesses have experienced adverse COVID-related impacts and remain at a higher risk of further adverse COVID-related impacts, and we cannot eliminate all potential impacts to our business from supply chain risks, such as longer lead times and shortages of electronics and other components used in our products. For example, the severe decline in global air traffic from travel restrictions and the resulting downturn in the commercial aviation market and its impact on customer operations has significantly reduced demand for flight training, flight simulators and commercial avionics products in our Aviation Systems segment’s Commercial Aviation Solutions sector. Another example of the effects of supply chain disruption that we have experienced is that revenue, operating income and orders in our Communication Systems segment have been, and we expect will continue to be, adversely impacted by supply chain-related constraints.
We continue to closely monitor COVID-related impacts on all aspects of our business and geographies, including on our workforce, supply chain and customers. We may restrict operations of our facilities if we deem it necessary or if recommended or mandated by governmental authorities, and we may experience volatility in the overall demand environment for our products, systems and services or impacts to our business from supply chain risks, any of which would have a further adverse impact on us.
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Our management’s focus on mitigating COVID-related impacts has required and may continue to require a large investment of time and resources across our enterprise, which may impact other value-added services or initiatives. Additionally, it remains uncertain on what scale our employees that are working remotely will return to work in person, and an extended period of remote work arrangements could strain our business continuity plans, create additional operational risk, such as cyber security risks, and impair our ability to manage our business. While we see many benefits to remote and hybrid work and have adopted new tools and processes to support the workforce, if we are unable to effectively adapt to a hybrid work environment long term, then we may experience a less cohesive workforce, increased attrition, reduced program performance and less innovation. We may suffer damage to our reputation, which could adversely affect our business, if our responses to COVID-related impacts are unsuccessful or perceived as inadequate for the U.S. or our international markets.
The manner and extent to which COVID-related disruptions and impacts further affect us, directly and indirectly by affecting our workforce, supply chain and customers, including our ability to perform under U.S. Government and other contracts within agreed timeframes and ultimately on our results of operations and cash flows, will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments, including: the ultimate severity and duration of COVID; the extent, effectiveness and other impacts and consequences of governmental authority containment, mitigation and other actions related to COVID; governmental, business and other actions, which could include closures or other limitations on our or our supply chain’s operations or mandates to provide products, systems or services; impacts on economic activity and customer demand, budgets and buying patterns, including global air traffic demand and governmental subsidies to airlines; the health of and the effect on our workforce and our ability to meet staffing needs in our businesses and facilities, particularly if members of our workforce are quarantined as a result of exposure; any impairment in value of our tangible or intangible assets which could be recorded as a result of weaker economic conditions; potential effects on our internal controls, including those over financial reporting, as a result of changes in working environments, among others; and disruptions or turmoil in the credit or financial markets or impacts on our credit ratings, which could adversely affect our ability to access capital on favorable terms and continue to meet our liquidity needs.
COVID cases (including the emergence and spread of more transmissible variants) may surge in certain parts of the world, including the U.S. While vaccines for COVID continue to be administered in the U.S. and other countries, the extent and rate of vaccine adoption, the long-term efficacy of these vaccines and other factors remain uncertain. As long as the pandemic continues, our employees will continue to be exposed to health risks, and we could be negatively impacted in the future if a significant number of our employees, or employees who perform critical functions, become ill, quarantine as a result of exposure to COVID or do not comply with applicable vaccination programs. As we continue to monitor the situation and public health guidance throughout the world, we may adjust our current policies and practices, and existing and new precautionary measures could negatively affect our operations.
Macroeconomic, Industry and Governmental Risks
We depend on U.S. Government customers for a significant portion of our revenue, and the loss of these relationships, a reduction in U.S. Government funding or a change in U.S. Government spending priorities could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
We are highly dependent on sales to U.S. Government customers, primarily defense-related programs with the DoD and a broad range of programs with the U.S. Intelligence Community and other U.S. Government departments and agencies. The percentage of our revenue derived from sales to U.S. Government customers, including foreign military sales funded through the U.S. Government, both directly and through prime contractors, was 75 percent, 78 percent, 73 percent and 77 percent in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, the two quarters ended January 3, 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively. Therefore, any significant disruption or deterioration of our relationship with the U.S. Government (in particular, the DoD) would significantly reduce our revenue and have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
We operate in highly competitive markets, and the U.S. Government may choose to use contractors other than us, for example as part of competitive bidding processes (through which we expect that a majority of the business we seek will be awarded), or otherwise due to our competitors’ ongoing efforts to expand their business relationships with the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government has increasingly relied on certain types of contracts that are subject to multiple competitive bidding processes, including multi-vendor IDIQ, GWAC, General Services Administration Schedule and other multi-award contracts, which has resulted in greater competition and increased pricing pressure. Some of our competitors have greater financial resources than we do and may have more extensive or more specialized engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities than we do in some areas. We may not be able to continue to win competitively awarded contracts or to obtain task orders under multi-award contracts. Further, competitive bidding processes involve significant cost and managerial time to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that may not be awarded to us or may be split with competitors and the risk that we may fail to accurately estimate the resources and costs required to fulfill any contract awarded to us. The current competitive bidding environment has resulted in an increase of bid protests from unsuccessful bidders, which typically extends the time until work on a contract can begin and may result in us experiencing significant expense or delay, contract modification or contract rescission as a result of our competitors protesting or challenging contracts awarded to us.
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Our U.S. Government programs must compete with programs managed by other government contractors and with other policy imperatives for consideration for limited resources and for uncertain levels of funding during the budget and appropriations process. Budget and appropriations decisions made by the U.S. Government are outside of our control and have long-term consequences for our business. U.S. Government spending priorities and levels remain uncertain and difficult to predict and are affected by numerous factors, including sequestration (automatic, across-the-board U.S. Government budgetary spending cuts) and potential alternative funding arrangements. A change in U.S. Government spending priorities or an increase in non-procurement spending at the expense of our programs, or a reduction in total U.S. Government spending, could have material adverse consequences on our current or future business. Any inability of the U.S. Government to complete its budget process for any government fiscal year, and consequently having to operate on funding levels equivalent to its prior fiscal year pursuant to a “continuing resolution” or shut down, also could have material adverse consequences on our current or future business. For more information see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Business Considerations - Industry-Wide Opportunities, Challenges and Risks” of this Report.
We depend significantly on U.S. Government contracts, which often are only partially funded, subject to immediate termination, and heavily regulated and audited. The termination or failure to fund, or negative audit findings for, one or more of these contracts could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
A U.S. Government program may be implemented by the award of many different individual contracts and subcontracts over its lifetime, and its funding is subject to Congressional appropriations, which have been affected by larger U.S. Government budgetary issues and related legislation in recent years. Although multi-year contracts may be authorized and appropriated in connection with major procurements, Congress generally appropriates funds on a government fiscal year basis. Procurement funds are typically made available for obligation over the course of one to three years. Consequently, programs often initially receive only partial funding, and additional funds are obligated only as Congress authorizes further appropriations. We cannot predict the extent to which total funding and/or funding for individual programs will be included, increased or reduced as part of the annual appropriations process ultimately approved by Congress and the President or in separate supplemental appropriations or continuing resolutions, as applicable. The termination of funding for a U.S. Government program would result in a loss of anticipated future revenue attributable to that program, which could have an adverse impact on our operations. In addition, the termination of a program or the failure to commit additional funds to a program that already has been started could result in lost revenue and increase our overall costs of doing business.
U.S. Government contracts also generally are subject to U.S. Government oversight audits, which could result in adjustments to our contract costs. Any costs found to be improperly allocated to a specific contract will not be reimbursed, and such costs already reimbursed must be refunded. We have recorded contract revenue based on costs we expect to realize upon final audit. However, we do not know the outcome of any future audits and adjustments, and we may be required to materially reduce our revenue or profits upon completion and final negotiation of audits. Negative audit findings could also result in termination of a contract, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines or suspension or debarment from U.S. Government contracting or subcontracting for a period of time.
In addition, U.S. Government contracts generally contain provisions permitting termination, in whole or in part, without prior notice at the U.S. Government’s convenience upon payment only for work done and commitments made at the time of termination. For some contracts, we are a subcontractor and not the prime contractor, and in those arrangements, the U.S. Government could terminate the prime contractor for convenience without regard for our performance as a subcontractor. We may be unable to procure new contracts to offset revenue or backlog lost as a result of any termination of our U.S. Government contracts. Because a significant portion of our revenue is dependent on our performance and payment under our U.S. Government contracts, the loss of one or more large contracts could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Our U.S. Government business also is subject to specific procurement regulations and a variety of socioeconomic and other requirements that, although customary in U.S. Government contracts, increase our performance and compliance costs. These costs might increase in the future, thereby reducing our margins, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity. In addition, the U.S. Government has and may continue to implement initiatives focused on efficiencies, affordability and cost growth and other changes to its procurement practices. These initiatives and changes to procurement practices may change the way U.S. Government contracts are solicited, negotiated and managed, which may affect whether and how we pursue opportunities to provide our products and services to the U.S. Government, including the terms and conditions under which we do so, which may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity. For example, contracts awarded under the DoD’s Other Transaction Authority for research and prototypes generally require cost-sharing and may not follow, or may follow only in part, standard U.S. Government contracting practices and terms, such as the FAR and Cost Accounting Standards.
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Failure to comply with applicable regulations and requirements could lead to fines, penalties, repayments, or compensatory or treble damages, or suspension or debarment from U.S. Government contracting or subcontracting for a period of time. Among the causes for debarment are violations of various laws and regulations, including those related to procurement integrity, export control (including ITAR), U.S. Government security, employment practices, protection of the environment, accuracy of records, proper recording of costs and foreign corruption. The termination of a U.S. Government contract or relationship as a result of any of these acts would have an adverse impact on our operations and could have an adverse effect on our standing and eligibility for future U.S. Government contracts.
The U.S. Government’s budget deficit and the national debt, as well as any inability of the U.S. Government to complete its budget process for any government fiscal year and consequently having to shut down or operate on funding levels equivalent to its prior fiscal year pursuant to a “continuing resolution,” could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Considerable uncertainty exists regarding how future budget and program decisions will unfold, including the defense spending priorities of the U.S. Government, what challenges budget reductions will present for the defense industry and whether annual appropriations bills for all agencies will be enacted for U.S. Government fiscal 2022 and thereafter. The U.S. Government’s budget deficit and the national debt could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity in a number of ways, including the following:
•The U.S. Government could reduce or delay its spending on, or reprioritize its spending away from, the government programs in which we participate;
•U.S. Government spending could be impacted by alternate arrangements to sequestration, which increases the uncertainty as to, and the difficulty in predicting, U.S. Government spending priorities and levels; and
•We may experience declines in revenue, profitability and cash flows as a result of reduced or delayed orders or payments or other factors caused by economic difficulties of our customers and prospective customers, including U.S. Federal, state and local governments.
Furthermore, we believe continued budget pressures and additional budget pressures from COVID-related impacts could have serious negative consequences for U.S. security and for companies in the defense industrial base and the customers, employees, suppliers, investors and communities that rely on them. Budget and program decisions made in this environment would have long-term implications for us and the rest of the defense industry.
Our results of operations and cash flows are substantially affected by our mix of fixed-price, cost-plus and time-and-material type contracts. In particular, our fixed-price contracts could subject us to losses in the event of cost overruns or a significant increase in inflation.
We generate revenue through various fixed-price, cost-plus and time-and-material contracts. For a general description of our U.S. Government contracts and subcontracts, including a discussion of revenue generated thereunder and of cost-reimbursable versus fixed-price contracts, see “Item 1. Business - Principal Customers; Government Contracts” of this Report. For a description of our revenue recognition policies, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - Revenue Recognition” of this Report.
In fiscal 2021, 74 percent of our revenue was derived from fixed-price contracts which allow us to benefit from cost savings, but subject us to the risk of potential cost overruns, including due to greater than anticipated inflation or unexpected delays, particularly for firm fixed-price contracts because we assume all of the cost burden. If our initial estimates are incorrect, we can lose money (or make more or less money than estimated) on these contracts. U.S. Government contracts can expose us to potentially large losses because the U.S. Government can hold us responsible for completing a project or, in certain circumstances, paying the entire cost of its replacement by another provider regardless of the size or foreseeability of any cost overruns that occur over the life of the contract. Because many of these contracts involve new technologies and applications and can last for years, unforeseen events, such as technological difficulties, fluctuations in the price of raw materials, a significant increase in inflation, problems with our suppliers and cost overruns, can result in the contractual price becoming less favorable or even unprofitable to us over time. Furthermore, if we do not meet contract deadlines or specifications, we may need to renegotiate contracts on less favorable terms, be forced to pay penalties or liquidated damages or suffer major losses if the customer exercises its right to terminate. In addition, some of our contracts have provisions relating to cost controls and audit rights, and if we fail to meet the terms specified in those contracts, we may not realize their full benefits. Cost overruns would adversely impact our results of operations, which are dependent on our ability to maximize our earnings from our contracts, and the potential risk would be greater if our contracts shifted toward a greater percentage of fixed-price contracts, particularly firm fixed-price contracts. In addition, changes in contract financing policy for fixed-price contracts, such as changes in performance and progress payments policies, including a reversal or modification of the DoD’s March 2020 increase to the applicable progress payment rate from 80% to 90%, could significantly affect the timing of our cash flows.
In fiscal 2021, 26 percent of our revenue was derived from cost-plus and time-and-material contracts, substantially all of which are with U.S. Government customers. Sales to foreign government and commercial customers are generally under fixed-
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price arrangements and are included in our fixed-price contract sales. For a cost-plus contract, we are paid our allowable incurred costs plus a profit, which can be fixed or variable depending on the contract’s fee arrangement up to predetermined funding levels established by our customers. For a time-and-material contract, we are paid on the basis of direct labor hours expended at specified fixed-price hourly rates (which include wages, overhead, allowable general and administrative expenses and profit) and materials at cost. Therefore, on cost-plus and time-and-material type contracts, we do not bear the risks of unexpected cost overruns, provided that we do not incur costs that exceed the predetermined funded amounts.
Given broader inflation in the economy, we are monitoring the risk inflation presents to active and future contracts. To date we have not seen broad based increases in costs from inflation that are material to the business as a whole; however, if we begin to experience greater than expected supply chain and labor inflation our profits and margins under our contracts, in particular fixed price contracts, could be adversely affected.
Any or all of the foregoing could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Our commercial aviation products, systems and services businesses are affected by global demand and economic factors that could negatively impact our financial results.
The operating results of our commercial aviation products, systems and services businesses may be adversely affected by downturns in the global demand for air travel which impacts new aircraft production and orders, and global flying hours, which impacts air transport, regional and business aircraft utilization rates and pilot training needs. The aviation industry is highly cyclical, and the level of demand for air travel is correlated to the strength of the U.S. and international economies and is impacted by long-term trends in airline passenger and cargo traffic. The results of our commercial aviation businesses also depend on other factors, including general economic growth, political stability in both developed and emerging markets, pricing pressures, trends in capital goods markets and changes in original equipment manufacturer production rates. As described above under “COVID-Related Risks,” our commercial aviation businesses experienced adverse COVID-related impacts in fiscal 2020 and remain at a higher risk of further adverse COVID-related impacts.
We participate in markets that are often subject to uncertain economic conditions, which makes it difficult to estimate growth in our markets and, as a result, future income and expenditures.
We participate in U.S. and international markets that are subject to uncertain economic conditions. In particular, U.S. Federal, state and local government spending priorities and levels remain uncertain and difficult to predict and are affected by numerous factors, including COVID-related impacts. In addition, certain of our non-U.S. customers, including in the Middle East and other oil or natural gas-producing countries, could be adversely affected by weakness or volatility in oil or natural gas prices, or negative expectations about future prices or volatility, which could adversely affect demand for tactical communications, electronic systems or other products, systems, services or technologies. As a result of that uncertainty, it is difficult to develop accurate estimates of the level of growth in the markets we serve. Because those estimates underpin all components of our budgeting and forecasting, our estimates or guidance for future revenue, income and expenditures may be inaccurate, and we may make significant investments and expenditures but never realize the anticipated benefits.
We cannot predict the consequences of future geo-political events, but they may adversely affect the markets in which we operate, our ability to insure against risks, our operations or our profitability.
Ongoing instability and current conflicts in global markets, including in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and the potential for other conflicts and future terrorist activities and other recent geo-political events throughout the world, including new or increased tariffs and potential trade wars, have created and may continue to create economic and political uncertainties and impacts that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and profitability. These types of matters cause uncertainty in financial and insurance markets and may significantly increase the political, economic and social instability in the geographic areas in which we operate. If credit in financial markets outside of the U.S. tightened, it could adversely affect the ability of our international customers and suppliers to obtain financing and could result in a decrease in or cancellation of orders for our products, systems and services or impact the ability of our customers to make payments. These matters also may cause us to experience increased costs, such as for insurance coverages and performance bonds (or for them to be unavailable altogether), as well as difficulty with future borrowings under our commercial paper program or credit facilities or in the debt markets or otherwise with financing our operating, investing (including any future acquisitions) or financing activities.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from international operations and are subject to the risks of doing business internationally, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
We are dependent on sales to customers outside the U.S. The percentage of our total revenue represented by revenue from products, systems and services where the end consumer is located outside the U.S., including foreign military sales through the U.S. Government, was 22 percent, 20 percent, 21 percent and 22 percent in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, the two quarters ended January 3, 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively. In fiscal 2021, 40 percent of our international business was transacted in local currency. Losses resulting from currency rate fluctuations can adversely affect our results. We expect that international revenue
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will continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenue. Also, a significant portion of our international revenue is from, and a significant portion of our business activity is being conducted with or in, less-developed countries and sometimes countries with unstable governments, or in areas of military conflict or at military installations. Other risks of doing business internationally include:
•Currency exchange controls, fluctuations of currency and currency revaluations;
•Laws, regulations and policies of foreign governments relating to investments and operations, as well as U.S. laws affecting activities of U.S. companies abroad, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”);
•Import and export licensing requirements and regulations, including ITAR, as well as unforeseen changes in export controls and other trade regulations;
•Changes in regulatory requirements, including business or operating license requirements, imposition of tariffs or embargoes;
•Uncertainties and restrictions concerning the availability of funding, credit or guarantees;
•Risk of non-payment or delayed payment by non-U.S. customers;
•Contractual obligations to non-U.S. customers that may include specific in-country purchases, investments, manufacturing agreements or financial or other support arrangements or obligations, known as offset obligations, that may extend for many years, require teaming with local companies and result in significant penalties if not satisfied;
•Complexities and necessities of using, and disruptions involving, international dealers, distributors, sales representatives and consultants;
•Difficulties of managing a geographically dispersed organization and culturally diverse workforces, including compliance with local laws and practices;
•Difficulties with repatriating cash generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws;
•Uncertainties as to local laws and enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights and occasional requirements for onerous contract terms;
•Rapid changes in government, economic and political policies, political or civil unrest, acts of terrorism or threats of international boycotts or U.S. anti-boycott legislation; and
•Increased risk of an incident resulting in damage or destruction to our facilities or products or resulting in injury or loss of life to our employees, subcontractors or other third parties.
We are subject to government investigations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
U.S. Government contractors are subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements, including ITAR and FCPA, and from time to time agencies of the U.S. Government investigate whether we have been and are operating in accordance with these requirements. We may cooperate with the U.S. Government in those investigations. Under U.S. Government regulations, an indictment of L3Harris by a federal grand jury, or an administrative finding against us as to our present responsibility to be a U.S. Government contractor or subcontractor, could result in us being suspended for a period of time from eligibility for awards of new government contracts or task orders or in a loss of export privileges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity. A conviction, or an administrative finding against us that satisfies the requisite level of seriousness, could result in debarment from contracting with the U.S. Government for a specific term, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Business and Operational Risks
We could be negatively impacted by a security breach, through cyber attack, cyber intrusion, insider threats or otherwise, or other significant disruption of our IT networks and related systems or of those we operate for certain of our customers.
We face the risk of a security breach, whether through cyber attack, cyber intrusion or insider threat via the Internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to e-mails, persons inside our organization or with access to systems inside our organization, subcontractors or suppliers, threats to the physical security of our facilities and employees or other significant disruption of our IT networks and related systems or those of our suppliers or subcontractors. We face an added risk of a security breach or other significant disruption of the IT networks and related systems that we develop, install, operate and maintain for certain of our customers, which may involve managing and protecting information relating to national security and other sensitive government functions or personally identifiable or protected health information. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, is persistent and substantial as the volume, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks, intrusions and threats from around the world remain elevated and unlikely to diminish. As an advanced technology-based solutions provider, and particularly as a government contractor with access to national security or other sensitive government information, we face a heightened risk of a security breach or disruption from threats to gain unauthorized access to our and our customers’ proprietary or classified information on our IT networks and related systems and to the IT networks and related systems that we operate and maintain for
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certain of our customers. These types of information and IT networks and related systems are critical to the operation of our business and essential to our ability to perform day-to-day operations, and, in some cases, are critical to the operations of certain of our customers. We make significant efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of information and IT networks and related systems and have implemented various measures to manage the risk of a security breach or disruption. Our efforts and measures have not been entirely effective in the case of every cyber security incident, but no incident has had a material negative impact on us to date. Even the most well-protected information, networks, systems and facilities remain potentially vulnerable because attempted security breaches, particularly cyber attacks and cyber intrusions, or disruptions will occur in the future, and because the techniques used in such attempts are constantly evolving and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed not to be detected and, in fact, may not be detected (for example, the SolarWinds cyber incident). In some cases, the resources of foreign governments may be behind such attacks due to the nature of our business and the industries in which we operate. Accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures. Thus, it is impossible for us to entirely mitigate this risk, and there can be no assurance that future cyber security incidents will not have a material negative impact on us. A security breach or other significant disruption involving these types of information and IT networks and related systems could:
•Disrupt proper functioning of these networks and systems and, therefore, our operations and/or those of certain of our customers;
•Result in unauthorized access to, and destruction, loss, theft, misappropriation or release of, proprietary, confidential, sensitive or otherwise valuable information of ours, our customers or our employees, including trade secrets, which could be used to compete against us or for disruptive, destructive or otherwise harmful purposes and outcomes;
•Compromise national security and other sensitive government functions;
•Require significant management attention and resources to remedy damages that result;
•Result in costs which exceed our insurance coverage and/or indemnification arrangements;
•Subject us to claims for contract breach, damages, credits, penalties or termination; and
•Damage our reputation with our customers (particularly agencies of the U.S. Government) and the general public.
We must also rely on the safeguards put in place by customers, suppliers, vendors, subcontractors or other third parties to minimize the impact of cyber threats, other security threats or business disruptions. These third parties may have varying levels of cybersecurity expertise and safeguards, and their relationships with government contractors, such as us, may increase their likelihood of being targeted by the same cyber threats we face. Our commercial arrangements with these third parties include processes designed to require that the third parties and their employees and agents agree to maintain certain standards for the storage, protection and transfer of confidential, personal and proprietary information. However, we remain at risk of a data breach due to the intentional or unintentional non-compliance by a third party’s employee or agent, the breakdown of a third party’s data protection processes, which may not be as sophisticated as ours, or a cyber-attack on a third party’s information network and systems.
Any or all of the foregoing could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Our future success will depend on our ability to develop new products, systems, services and technologies that achieve market acceptance in our current and future markets.
Our businesses are characterized by rapidly changing technologies and evolving industry standards. Accordingly, our performance depends on a number of factors, including our ability to:
•Identify market needs and growth opportunities;
•Identify emerging technological trends in our current and target markets;
•Identify additional uses for our existing technology to address customer needs;
•Develop and maintain competitive products, systems, services and technologies;
•Enhance our offerings by adding innovative hardware, software or other features that differentiate our products, systems, services and technologies from those of our competitors;
•Develop, manufacture and bring to market cost-effective offerings quickly;
•Enhance product designs for export and releasability to international markets; and
•Effectively structure our businesses to reflect the competitive environment, including through the use of joint ventures, collaborative agreements and other forms of alliances.
To remain competitive, we need to continue to design, develop, manufacture, assemble, test, market and support new products, systems, services and technologies, which will require the investment of significant financial resources. In the past, we have allocated substantial funds for such investments through customer funded and internal research and development, acquisitions or other teaming arrangements. This practice will continue to be required, but we may not be able to successfully identify new opportunities and may not have the necessary financial resources to develop new products, systems, services and
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technologies in a timely or cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the need to make these expenditures could divert our attention and resources from other projects, and we cannot be sure that these expenditures ultimately will lead to the timely development of new products, systems, services or technologies. Due to the design complexity of some of our products, systems, services and technologies, we may experience delays in completing development and introducing new products, systems, services or technologies in the future. Any delays could result in increased costs of development or divert resources from other projects. In addition, the markets for our products, systems, services or technologies may not develop as we currently anticipate, we may not be as successful in newly identified markets as we currently anticipate, and acquisitions, joint ventures or other teaming arrangements we may enter into to pursue developing new products, systems, services or technologies may not be successful. Failure of our products, systems, services or technologies to gain market acceptance could significantly reduce our revenue and harm our business. Furthermore, competitors may develop competing products, systems, services or technologies that gain market acceptance in advance of our products, systems, services or technologies, or competitors may develop new products, systems, services or technologies that cause our existing products, systems, services or technologies to become non-competitive or obsolete, which could adversely affect our results of operations. The future direction of the domestic and global economies, including its impact on customer demand, also will have a significant impact on our overall performance.
We must attract and retain key employees, and any failure to do so could seriously harm us.
Our future success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our management and our ability to attract and retain highly qualified management and technical personnel, including employees who have U.S. Government security clearances, particularly clearances of top-secret and above. To the extent that the demand for qualified personnel exceeds supply, as has been the case from time to time in recent years and has recently intensified further due to industry trends, we could experience higher labor, recruiting or training costs in order to attract and retain such employees, or could experience difficulties in performing under our contracts if our needs for such employees were unmet. Failure to attract and retain such personnel would damage our future prospects and could adversely affect our ability to succeed in our human capital goals and priorities, as well as negatively impact our business and operating results.
Some of our workforce is represented by labor unions, so a prolonged work stoppage could harm our business.
At December 31, 2021, approximately 2,500 of our U.S. employees, or approximately 6 percent of our employee base, were unionized. If we encounter difficulties with renegotiation or renewals of collective bargaining arrangements or are unsuccessful in those efforts, we could incur additional costs and experience work stoppages. Union actions at suppliers can also affect us. We cannot predict how stable our union relationships will be or whether we will be able to successfully negotiate successor collective bargaining agreements without impacting our financial condition. In addition, the presence of unions may limit our flexibility in dealing with our workforce. Work stoppages could negatively impact our ability to manufacture products or provide services on a timely basis, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Disputes with our subcontractors or key suppliers, or their inability to perform or timely deliver our components, parts or services, could cause our products, systems or services to be produced or delivered in an untimely or unsatisfactory manner.
We engage subcontractors on many of our contracts and from time to time may have disputes with them, including regarding the quality and timeliness of work performed by them, customer concerns about the subcontract or subcontractor, our failure to extend existing task orders or issue new task orders under a subcontract, our hiring of the personnel of a subcontractor or vice versa or the subcontractor’s failure to comply with applicable law. In addition, there are certain parts, components and services for many of our products, systems and services that we source from other manufacturers or vendors. Some of our suppliers, from time to time, experience financial and operational difficulties, which may impact their ability to supply the materials, components, subsystems and services that we require. Tariffs recently imposed on certain materials and other trade issues may create or exacerbate existing materials shortages and may result in further supplier business closures. Our supply chain could also be disrupted by external events, such as natural disasters (including those as a result of climate change) or other significant disruptions (including COVID-related impacts as described above under “COVID-Related Risks,” extreme weather conditions, epidemics, acts of terrorism, cyber attacks and labor disputes), governmental actions and legislative or regulatory changes, including product certification or stewardship requirements, sourcing restrictions, product authenticity and climate change or GHG emission standards, or availability constraints from increased demand from customers. These or any further political or governmental developments or health concerns in countries in which we operate could result in social, economic and labor instability. Any inability to develop alternative sources of supply on a cost-effective and timely basis could materially impair our ability to manufacture and deliver products, systems and services to our customers. Complying with U.S. Government contracting regulations that limit the source or manufacture of suppliers and impose stringent cybersecurity regulations also may create challenges for our supply chain and increase costs. We may experience disputes with our subcontractors; material supply constraints or problems, including shortages of components, commodities or other materials; or component, subsystems or services problems in the future. Also, our subcontractors and other suppliers may not be able to acquire or maintain the quality of the materials, components, subsystems and services they supply, which might result in greater product returns, service problems and warranty claims and could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity. In addition, in connection with our government contracts, we are required to procure certain materials, components and parts, including certain
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microelectronics components, from supply sources approved by the U.S. Government and we rely on our subcontractors and suppliers to comply with applicable laws, regulations and other requirements regarding procurement of counterfeit, unauthorized or otherwise non-compliant parts or materials, including parts or materials they supply to us, and in some circumstances, we rely on their certifications as to their compliance. From time to time, there are components for which there may be only one supplier, which may be unable to meet our needs. Each of these subcontractor and supplier risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
We have significant operations in locations that could be materially and adversely impacted in the event of a natural disaster or other significant disruption.
Our corporate headquarters and significant business operations are located in Florida, which is subject to the risk of major hurricanes. Our worldwide operations and operations of our suppliers and customers could be subject to natural disasters (including those as a result of climate change) or other significant disruptions, including hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, fires, water shortages, other extreme weather conditions, epidemics, pandemics, COVID-related impacts as described above under “COVID-Related Risks,” acts of terrorism, power shortages and blackouts, telecommunications failures, cyber attacks and other natural and man-made disasters or disruptions. In the event of such a natural disaster or other disruption, we could experience disruptions or interruptions to our operations or the operations of our suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers or customers, including inability of employees to work; destruction of facilities; and/or loss of life, all of which could materially increase our costs and expenses, delay or decrease orders and revenue from our customers and have a material adverse effect on the continuity of our business and our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity. Additionally, we could incur significant costs to improve the climate-related resiliency of our infrastructure and supply chain and otherwise prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Financial Risks
Changes in estimates we use in accounting for many of our programs could adversely affect our future financial results.
Accounting for our contracts requires judgment relative to assessing risks, including risks associated with customer-directed delays and reductions in scheduled deliveries, unfavorable resolutions of claims and contractual matters and judgment associated with estimating contract revenue and costs and assumptions for schedule and technical issues. Due to the size and nature of many of our contracts, the estimation of total revenue and cost at completion is complicated and subject to many variables. For example, we must make assumptions regarding: (i) the length of time to complete the contract because costs also include expected increases in wages and prices for materials; (ii) whether contracts should be accounted for as having one or more performance obligations based on the goods and services promised to the customer; (iii) incentives or penalties related to performance on contracts in estimating revenue and profit rates, and recording them when there is sufficient information for us to assess anticipated performance; and (iv) estimates of award fees in estimating revenue and profit rates based on actual and anticipated awards. Because of the significance of the judgments and estimation processes involved in accounting for our contracts, materially different amounts could be recorded if we used different assumptions or if the underlying circumstances were to change. Changes in underlying assumptions, circumstances or estimates may adversely affect our future results of operations and financial condition. For additional information regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates applicable to our accounting for our contracts, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of this Report.
Our level of indebtedness and our ability to make payments on or service our indebtedness and our unfunded defined benefit plans liability may materially adversely affect our financial and operating activities or our ability to incur additional debt.
At December 31, 2021, we had $7.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt and $0.6 billion of unfunded defined benefit plans liability. These amounts may increase; however, our ability to increase our borrowings is subject to limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our current or future indebtedness, and our ability to make contributions to our unfunded defined benefit plans liability, will depend on our ability to generate cash from operations, financings or asset sales, which may be subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. If we are not able to repay or refinance our debt as it becomes due or make contributions to our unfunded defined benefit plans liability, we may be forced to sell assets or take other disadvantageous actions, including reducing financing for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes; reducing our cash dividend rate and/or share repurchases; or dedicating an unsustainable level of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness. In addition, our ability to withstand competitive pressures and to react to changes in the defense technology industry could be impaired. The lenders who hold such debt could also accelerate amounts due, which could potentially trigger a default or acceleration of any of our other debt.
Additionally, certain of our financial obligations and instruments, including our 2019 Credit Facility (defined below) and Floating Rate Notes due March 10, 2023, as well as financial instruments that we hold or use or may hold or use, such as interest rate swaps, are or may be made at variable interest rates that use the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) (or metrics derived
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from or related to LIBOR) as a benchmark for establishing the applicable interest rate. The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR. Banks currently reporting information used to set U.S. dollar LIBOR are currently expected to stop doing so during 2023. The potential consequences from discontinuation, modification or reform of LIBOR, implementation of alternative reference rates and any interest rate transition process cannot be fully predicted and may have an adverse impact on values of LIBOR-linked securities and other financial obligations or extensions of credit and may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR, reductions in effectiveness of related transactions such as hedges, increased borrowing costs, uncertainty under applicable documentation, or difficult and costly consent processes. This could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. See Note 12: Credit Arrangements in the Notes for additional information regarding our 2019 Credit Facility and Note 13: Debt in the Notes for additional information regarding our Floating Rate Notes due March 10, 2023.
A downgrade in our credit ratings could materially adversely affect our business.
The credit ratings assigned to our debt securities could change based on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, mergers, acquisitions or dispositions. These ratings are subject to ongoing evaluation by credit rating agencies and may be changed or withdrawn by rating agencies in the future. Moreover, these credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any of our debt securities. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade or have been assigned a negative outlook, would likely increase our borrowing costs and affect our ability to incur new indebtedness or refinance our existing indebtedness, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, equity and the market value of our common stock and outstanding debt securities.
The level of returns on defined benefit plan assets, changes in interest rates and other factors could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity in future periods.
A substantial portion of our current and retired employee population is covered by defined benefit pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans (collectively, “defined benefit plans”). We may experience significant fluctuations in costs related to defined benefit plans as a result of macro-economic factors, such as interest rates, that are beyond our control. The cost of our defined benefit plans is incurred over long periods of time and involves various factors and uncertainties during those periods that can be volatile and unpredictable, including the rates of return on defined benefit plan assets, discount rates used to calculate liabilities and expenses, mortality of plan participants and trends for future medical costs. We develop our assumptions using relevant plan experience and expectations in conjunction with market-related data. These assumptions and other actuarial assumptions may change significantly due to changes in economic, legislative, and/or demographic experience or circumstances. Significant changes in key economic indicators, financial market volatility, future legislation and other governmental regulatory actions could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
We will make contributions to fund our defined benefit plans when considered necessary or advantageous to do so. The macro-economic factors discussed above, including the rates of return on defined benefit plan assets and the minimum funding requirements established by government funding or taxing authorities, or established by other agreement, may influence future funding requirements. A significant decline in the fair value of our plan assets, or other adverse changes to our overall defined benefit plans, could require us to make significant funding contributions and affect cash flows in future periods.
CAS governs the extent to which postretirement costs and plan contributions are allocable to and recoverable under contracts with the U.S. Government. We expect to continue to seek reimbursement from the U.S. Government for a portion of our postretirement costs and plan contributions; however, pension plan cost recoveries under our U.S. Government contracts may occur in different periods from when those pension costs are recognized for financial statement purposes or when pension funding is made. CAS rules have been revised to partially harmonize the measurement and period of assignment of pension plan costs allocable to U.S. Government contracts and minimum required contributions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. However, there is still a lag between the time when we contribute cash to our plans under pension funding rules and when we recover pension costs under CAS rules. These timing differences could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows.
Legal, Tax and Regulatory Risks
Changes in our effective tax rate may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our future effective tax rate may be adversely affected by a number of factors including:
•Changes in domestic or international tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws;
•The jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed;
•Adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns;
•Increases in expenses not fully deductible for tax purposes, including write-offs of acquired in-process R&D and impairment of goodwill or other long-term assets in connection with mergers or acquisitions;
•Changes in available tax credits;
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•Changes in share-based compensation expense;
•Changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; and
•The resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities.
For example, provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 require that, beginning in 2022, research and experimental expenditures be capitalized and amortized over five years, which will result in a material increase to our cash taxes in 2022 through 2026 and establishment of a material deferred tax asset, if the provisions are not deferred, modified or repealed by Congress with retroactive effect to January 1, 2022. We estimate the impact to cash from operating activities to be approximately $600 million to $700 million in fiscal 2022 based on the provisions currently in effect. The impact, will decline each year through fiscal 2026 until it is zero. The actual impact to cash from operating activities will depend if and when these provisions are deferred, modified or repealed by Congress (including potential retroactive application) and the amount of research and experimental expenses paid or incurred, among other factors.
Any significant increase in our future effective tax rates could adversely impact our results of operations for future periods.
We may not be successful in obtaining the necessary export licenses to conduct certain operations abroad, and Congress may prevent proposed sales to certain foreign governments.
We must first obtain export and other licenses and authorizations from various U.S. Government agencies before we are permitted to sell certain products and technologies outside of the U.S. For example, the U.S. Department of State must notify Congress at least 15 to 60 days, depending on the size and location of the proposed sale, prior to authorizing certain sales of defense equipment and services to foreign governments. During that time, Congress may take action to block the proposed sale. We may be unsuccessful in obtaining necessary licenses or authorizations or Congress may prevent or delay certain sales. Our ability to obtain necessary licenses and authorizations timely or at all is subject to risks and uncertainties, including changing U.S. Government policies or laws or delays in Congressional action due to geopolitical and other factors. If we are not successful in obtaining or maintaining the necessary licenses or authorizations in a timely manner, our sales relating to those approvals may be reversed, prevented or delayed, and any significant impairment of our ability to sell products or technologies outside of the U.S. could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Our reputation and ability to do business may be impacted by the improper conduct of our employees, agents or business partners.
We have implemented compliance controls, training, policies and procedures designed to prevent and detect reckless or criminal acts from being committed by our employees, agents or business partners that would violate the laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including laws governing payments to government officials, such as the FCPA, the protection of export controlled or classified information, such as ITAR, false claims, procurement integrity, cost accounting and billing, competition, information security and data privacy and the terms of our contracts. This risk of improper conduct may increase as we continue to grow and expand our operations. We cannot ensure, however, that our controls, training, policies and procedures will prevent or detect all such reckless or criminal acts, and we have been adversely impacted by such acts in the past. If not prevented, such acts could subject us to civil or criminal investigations, monetary and non-monetary penalties and suspension and debarment by the U.S. Government and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and reputation. In addition, misconduct involving data security lapses resulting in the compromise of personal information or the improper use of our customer’s sensitive or classified information could result in remediation costs, regulatory sanctions against us and serious harm to our reputation and could adversely impact our ability to continue to contract with the U.S. Government.
The outcome of litigation or arbitration in which we are involved from time to time is unpredictable, and an adverse decision in any such matter could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
The size, nature and complexity of our business make us susceptible to investigations, claims, disputes, enforcement actions, litigation and other legal proceedings, particularly those involving governments. From time to time, we are defendants in a number of litigation matters and are involved in a number of arbitration matters. These actions may divert financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit our operations. The results of these or new matters may be unfavorable to us. Although we maintain insurance policies, they may not be adequate to protect us from all material judgments and expenses related to current or future claims and may not cover the conduct that is the subject of the litigation or arbitration. Desired levels of insurance may not be available in the future at economical prices or at all. In addition, we believe that while we have valid defenses with respect to legal matters pending against us, the results of litigation or arbitration can be difficult to predict, including litigation involving jury trials. Accordingly, our current judgment as to the likelihood of our loss (or our current estimate as to the potential range of loss, if applicable) with respect to any particular litigation or arbitration matter may be wrong. A significant judgment or arbitration award against us arising out of any of our current or future litigation or arbitration matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
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Third parties have claimed in the past and may claim in the future that we are infringing directly or indirectly upon their intellectual property rights, and third parties may infringe upon our intellectual property rights.
Many of the markets we serve are characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights, which often has resulted in protracted and expensive litigation. Our efforts to gain awards of contracts and ensure a competitive position in the market depends in part on our ability to ensure that our intellectual property is protected, that our intellectual property rights are not diluted or subject to misuse, and that we are able to license certain third party intellectual property on reasonable terms. Third parties have claimed in the past and may claim in the future that we are infringing directly or indirectly upon their intellectual property rights, and we may be found to be infringing or to have infringed directly or indirectly upon those intellectual property rights. Claims of infringement might also require us to enter into costly royalty or license agreements. Our patents and other intellectual property may be challenged, invalidated, misappropriated or circumvented by third parties. Moreover, we may not be able to obtain royalty or license agreements on terms acceptable to us, or at all. We also may be subject to significant damages or injunctions against development and sale of certain of our products, services and solutions. Our success depends in large part on our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, know-how, confidentiality provisions and licensing arrangements to establish and protect our intellectual property rights. In addition, the laws concerning intellectual property vary among nations and the protection provided to our intellectual property by the laws and courts of foreign nations may differ from those of the U.S. If we fail to successfully protect and enforce these rights, our competitive position could suffer. Our pending patent and trademark registration applications may not be allowed, or competitors may challenge the validity or scope of our patents or trademark registrations. In addition, our patents may not provide us a significant competitive advantage. We may be required to spend significant resources to monitor and enforce our intellectual property rights. Litigation to determine the scope of intellectual property rights, even if ultimately successful, could be costly and could divert management’s attention away from other aspects of our business. We may not be able to detect infringement, and our competitive position may be harmed before we do so. In addition, competitors may design around our technology or develop competing technologies.
We face certain significant risk exposures and potential liabilities that may not be covered adequately by insurance or indemnity.
We are exposed to liabilities that are unique to the products, systems and services we provide. A significant portion of our business relates to designing, developing and manufacturing advanced defense, technology and communications systems and products. New technologies associated with these systems and products may be untested or unproven. Components of certain defense systems and products we develop are inherently dangerous. Failures of satellites, missile systems, air traffic control systems, electronic warfare systems, space superiority systems, Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (“C5ISR”) systems, homeland security applications and aircraft have the potential to cause loss of life and extensive property damage. Other examples of unforeseen problems that could result, either directly or indirectly, in the loss of life or property or otherwise negatively affect revenue and profitability include loss on launch of spacecraft, premature failure of products that cannot be accessed for repair or replacement, problems with quality and workmanship, country of origin, delivery of subcontractor components or services and unplanned degradation of product performance. In addition, problems and delays in development or delivery as a result of issues with respect to design, technology, licensing and patent rights, labor, learning curve assumptions or materials and components could prevent us from achieving contractual requirements. In many circumstances, we may receive indemnification from the U.S. Government. We generally do not receive indemnification from foreign governments. Although we maintain insurance for certain risks, including certain cybersecurity exposures, the amount of our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all claims or liabilities, and we may be forced to bear substantial costs from an accident or incident. It also is not possible for us to obtain insurance to protect against all operational risks and liabilities. Substantial claims resulting from an incident in excess of U.S. Government indemnity and our insurance coverage would harm our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity. Other factors that may affect revenue and profits include loss of follow-on work, and, in the case of certain contracts, liquidated damages, penalties and repayment to the customer of contract cost and fee payments we previously received. Moreover, any accident or incident for which we are liable, even if fully insured, could negatively affect our standing with our customers and the public, thereby making it more difficult for us to compete effectively, and could significantly impact the cost and availability of adequate insurance in the future.
Unforeseen environmental issues, including regulations related to GHG emissions or change in customer sentiment related to environmental sustainability, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Our operations are subject to various U.S. Federal, state and local, as well as certain foreign, environmental laws and regulations within the countries in which we operate relating to the discharge, storage, treatment, handling, disposal and remediation of certain materials, substances and wastes used in our operations. In addition, we could be affected by future environmental laws or regulations, including, for example, new restrictions on materials used in our operations or claims asserted in response to concerns over climate change, such as regulations related GHG emissions, other aspects of the environment or
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natural resources. Changes in government procurement laws that mandate or include climate change considerations, such as the contractor’s GHG emissions, lower emission products or other climate risks, in evaluating bids could result in costly changes to our operations or affect our competitiveness on future bids. Compliance with current and future environmental laws and regulations may require significant operating and capital costs. Environmental laws and regulations may institute substantial fines and criminal sanctions as well as facility shutdowns to address violations and may require the installation of costly pollution control equipment or operational changes to limit emissions or discharges. Our suppliers may face similar business interruptions and incur additional costs that may increase the price of materials needed for manufacturing. We also incur, and expect to continue to incur, costs to comply with current environmental laws and regulations related to remediation of conditions in the environment. In addition, if violations of environmental laws result in us, or in one or more of our operations, being identified as an excluded party in the U.S. Government’s System for Award Management, then we or one or more of our operations would become ineligible to receive certain contracts, subcontracts and other benefits from the Federal government or to perform work under a government contract or subcontract. Generally, such ineligibility would continue until the basis for the listing has been appropriately addressed. If our responses to new or evolving legal and regulatory requirements or other sustainability concerns are unsuccessful or perceived as inadequate for the U.S. or our international markets, we also may suffer damage to our reputation, which could adversely affect our business.Developments such as the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, violations by us of such laws and regulations, discovery of previously unknown or more extensive contamination, litigation involving environmental impacts, our inability to recover costs associated with any such developments under previously priced contracts or financial insolvency of other responsible parties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Strategic Transactions and Investments Risks
Strategic transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, involve significant risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
Strategic mergers, acquisitions and divestitures we have made in the past and may make in the future present significant risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity, which include:
•Difficulty in identifying and evaluating potential mergers and acquisitions, including the risk that our due diligence does not identify or fully assess valuation issues, potential liabilities or other merger or acquisition risks;
•Difficulty and expense in integrating newly merged or acquired businesses and operations, including combining product and service offerings, and in entering into new markets in which we are not experienced, in an efficient and cost-effective manner while maintaining adequate standards, controls and procedures, and the risk that we encounter significant unanticipated costs or other problems associated with integration;
•Difficulty and expense in consolidating and rationalizing IT infrastructure, which may include multiple legacy systems from various mergers and acquisitions and integrating software code;
•Challenges in achieving strategic objectives, cost savings and other expected benefits;
•Risk that our markets do not evolve as anticipated and that the strategic mergers, acquisitions and divestitures do not prove to be those needed to be successful in those markets;
•Risk that we assume or retain, or that companies we have merged with or acquired have assumed or retained or otherwise become subject to, significant liabilities that exceed the limitations of any applicable indemnification provisions or the financial resources of any indemnifying parties;
•Risk that indemnification related to businesses divested or spun off that we may be required to provide or otherwise bear may be significant and could negatively impact our business;
•Risk that mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, spin offs and other strategic transactions fail to qualify for the intended tax treatment for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, such as a tax-free reorganization in the case of the L3Harris Merger;
•Risk that we are not able to complete strategic divestitures on satisfactory terms and conditions, including non-competition arrangements applicable to certain of our business lines, or within expected timeframes;
•Potential loss of key employees or customers of the businesses merged with or acquired or to be divested; and
•Risk of diverting the attention of senior management from our existing operations.
Changes in future business or other market conditions could cause business investments and/or recorded goodwill or other long-term assets to become impaired, resulting in substantial losses and write-downs that would materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
From time to time, we acquire a minority or majority interest in a business, following careful analysis and due diligence procedures designed to achieve a desired return or strategic objective. These procedures often involve certain assumptions and judgment in determining acquisition price. After acquisition, such assumptions and judgment may prove to have been inaccurate and unforeseen issues could arise, which could adversely affect the anticipated returns or which are otherwise not recoverable as
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an adjustment to the purchase price. Even after careful integration efforts, actual operating results may vary significantly from initial estimates. As of December 31, 2021, we had goodwill of $18.2 billion recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheet, the large majority of which was recorded in connection with the L3Harris Merger. We evaluate the recoverability of recorded goodwill annually, as well as when we change reporting units and when events or circumstances indicate there may be an impairment. We test goodwill for impairment at an organizational level referred to as the reporting unit, which is our business segment level or one level below the business segment. The impairment test is based on several factors requiring judgment. Principally, a decrease in expected reporting unit cash flows or changes in market conditions may indicate potential impairment of recorded goodwill. In addition, following the L3Harris Merger, our reporting units are generally one level below the segment level and two of our segments are comprised of several reporting units. Allocation of goodwill to several reporting units could make it more likely that we will have additional impairment charges in the future. Because of the significance of our goodwill and other intangible assets, any future impairment of these assets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. For additional information on our accounting policies related to impairment of goodwill, see our discussion under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Report and Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies and Note 9: Goodwill in the Notes.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our principal executive offices are located at owned facilities in Melbourne, Florida. As of December 31, 2021, we operated approximately 300 locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Oceania, Asia, the Middle East and South America, consisting of approximately 22 million square feet of manufacturing, administrative, R&D, warehousing, engineering and office space, of which we owned approximately 9 million square feet and leased approximately 13 million square feet. There are no material encumbrances on any of our owned facilities. As of December 31, 2021, we had major operations at the following locations:
Integrated Mission Systems — Greenville, Waco and Rockwall, Texas; Camden, New Jersey; Mirabel and Hamilton, Canada; Mason, Ohio; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Anaheim, California.
Space & Airborne Systems — Palm Bay, Melbourne and Malabar, Florida; Rochester and Amityville, New York; Clifton, New Jersey; Van Nuys and San Diego, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Wilmington, Massachusetts; and Alpharetta, Georgia.
Communication Systems — Salt Lake City, Utah; Rochester, New York; Londonderry, New Hampshire; Lynchburg, Virginia; Tempe, Arizona; Farnborough, United Kingdom; Brisbane, Australia; and Sunrise, Florida.
Aviation Systems — Menlo Park and Anaheim, California; Cincinnati, Ohio; Herndon, Virginia; Crawley, United Kingdom; Melbourne, Florida; Plano, Texas; Mt. Olive, New Jersey; and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Corporate — Melbourne, Florida; and Washington, D.C.
The following is a summary of the approximate floor space of our offices and facilities in productive use, by segment, at December 31, 2021:
Integrated Mission Systems 1.9 6.9 8.8
Space & Airborne Systems 4.6 2.4 7.0
Communication Systems 1.7 1.9 3.6
In our opinion, our facilities, whether owned or leased, are suitable and adequate for their intended purposes, are well-maintained and generally in regular use and have capacities adequate for current and projected needs. We frequently review our anticipated requirements for facilities and will, from time to time, acquire additional facilities, expand existing facilities and dispose of existing facilities or parts thereof, as management deems necessary. For more information about our lease obligations, see Note 18: Lease Commitments in the Notes. Our facilities and other properties are generally maintained in good operating condition.
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
General.From time to time, as a normal incident of the nature and kind of businesses in which we are or were engaged, various claims or charges are asserted and litigation or arbitration is commenced by or against us arising from or related to matters, including, but not limited to: product liability; personal injury; patents, trademarks, trade secrets or other intellectual property; labor and employee disputes; commercial or contractual disputes; strategic acquisitions or divestitures; the prior sale or use of former products allegedly containing asbestos or other restricted materials; breach of warranty; or environmental matters. Claimed amounts against us may be substantial, but may not bear any reasonable relationship to the merits of the claim or the extent of any real risk of court or arbitral awards. We record accruals for losses related to those matters against us that we consider to be probable and that can be reasonably estimated. Gain contingencies, if any, are recognized when they are realized and legal costs generally are expensed when incurred. At December 31, 2021, our accrual for the potential resolution of lawsuits, claims or proceedings that we consider probable of being decided unfavorably to us was not material. Although it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these matters with certainty, it is reasonably possible that some lawsuits, claims or proceedings may be disposed of or decided unfavorably to us and in excess of the amounts currently accrued. Based on available information, in the opinion of management, settlements, arbitration awards and final judgments, if any, that are considered probable of being rendered against us in litigation or arbitration in existence at December 31, 2021 would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or equity.
Tax Audits.Our tax filings are subject to audit by taxing authorities in jurisdictions where we conduct or conducted business. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes that are subsequently resolved with the authorities or ultimately through legal proceedings. We believe we have adequately accrued for any ultimate amounts that are likely to result from these audits; however, final assessments, if any, could be different from the amounts recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 22: Income Taxes in the Notes for additional information regarding audits and examinations by taxing authorities of our tax filings.
U.S. Government Business.We are engaged in supplying goods and services to various departments and agencies of the U.S. Government. We are therefore dependent on Congressional appropriations and administrative allotment of funds and may be affected by changes in U.S. Government policies. U.S. Government development and production contracts typically involve long lead times for design and development, are subject to significant changes in contract scheduling and may be unilaterally modified or canceled by the U.S. Government. Often these contracts call for successful design and production of complex and technologically advanced products or systems. We may participate in supplying goods and services to the U.S. Government as either a prime contractor or as a subcontractor to a prime contractor. Disputes may arise between the prime contractor and the U.S. Government or between the prime contractor and its subcontractors and may result in litigation or arbitration between the contracting parties.
Generally, U.S. Government contracts are subject to procurement laws and regulations, including the FAR, which outline uniform policies and procedures for acquiring goods and services by the U.S. Government, and specific agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR, such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. As a U.S. Government contractor, our contract costs are audited and reviewed on a continuing basis by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (“DCAA”). The DCAA also reviews the adequacy of, and a U.S. Government contractor’s compliance with, the contractor’s business systems and policies, including the contractor’s property, estimating, compensation and management information systems. In addition to these routine audits, from time to time, we may, either individually or in conjunction with other U.S. Government contractors, be the subject of audits and investigations by other agencies of the U.S. Government. These audits and investigations are conducted to determine if our performance and administration of our U.S. Government contracts are compliant with applicable contractual requirements and procurement and other applicable Federal laws and regulations, including ITAR and FCPA. These investigations may be conducted with or without our knowledge or cooperation. We are unable to predict the outcome of such investigations or to estimate the amounts of resulting claims or other actions that could be instituted against us or our officers or employees. Under present U.S. Government procurement laws and regulations, if indicted or adjudged in violation of procurement or other Federal laws, a contractor, such as us, or one or more of our operating divisions or subdivisions, could be subject to fines, penalties, repayments, or compensatory or treble damages. U.S. Government regulations also provide that certain findings against a contractor may lead to suspension or debarment from eligibility for awards of new U.S. Government contracts for a period of time to be determined by the U.S. Government. Suspension or debarment would have a material adverse effect on us because of our reliance on U.S. Government contracts. In addition, our export privileges could be suspended or revoked, which also would have a material adverse effect on us. For further discussion of risks relating to U.S. Government contracts, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report.
International.As an international company, we are, from time to time, the subject of investigations relating to our international operations, including under U.S. export control laws (such as ITAR), the FCPA and other similar U.S. and international laws.
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In September 2019, we reached an administrative settlement with the Department of State to resolve alleged U.S. export control regulation violations. Under the terms of the settlement we have committed to strengthen our trade compliance program under the supervision of a special compliance officer and will pay a civil penalty of $13 million over three years (with $6.5 million suspended on the condition of use for qualified remedial compliance measures). The settlement did not result in any debarment or limitation on export licensing.
Environmental Matters.We are subject to numerous U.S. Federal, state, local and international environmental laws and regulatory requirements and are involved from time to time in investigations or litigation of various potential environmental issues. We or companies we have acquired are responsible, or alleged to be responsible, for environmental investigation and/or remediation of multiple sites. These sites are in various stages of investigation and/or remediation and in some cases our liability is considered de minimis. Notices from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) or equivalent state or international environmental agencies allege that several sites formerly or currently owned and/or operated by us or companies we have acquired, and other properties or water supplies that may be or have been impacted from those operations, contain disposed or recycled materials or wastes and require environmental investigation and/or remediation. These sites include instances of being identified as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (commonly known as the “Superfund Act”) and/or equivalent state and international laws. For example, in June 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, notified several potentially responsible parties, including Exelis Inc. (“Exelis”), which we acquired in 2015, of potential responsibility for contribution to the environmental investigation and remediation of multiple locations in Alaska. In addition, in March 2016, the EPA notified over 100 potentially responsible parties, including Exelis, of potential liability for the cost of remediation for the 8.3-mile stretch of the Lower Passaic River in New Jersey, estimated by the EPA to be $1.38 billion. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, the EPA further announced an interim plan to remediate sediment in the upper nine miles of the of the Lower Passaic River with an estimated cost of $441 million. The potential responsible parties’ respective allocations for the Lower Passaic River remediation have not been determined. Although it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these environmental claims made against us, based on available information, in the opinion of our management, any payments we may be required to make as a result of environmental claims made against us in existence at December 31, 2021 are reserved against, covered by insurance or would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or equity.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
The name, age, position held with us and principal occupation and employment during at least the past five years for each of our executive officers as of February 24, 2022, were as follows:
Name and Age Position Currently Held and Past Business Experience
There is no family relationship between any of our executive officers or directors. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our executive officers or directors and any other person pursuant to which any of them was appointed or elected as an officer or director, other than arrangements or understandings with our directors or officers acting solely in their capacities as such. All of our executive officers are elected annually and serve at the pleasure of our Board of Directors.
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PART II
Market Information
Our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, is listed and traded on the NYSE, under the ticker symbol “LHX.” According to the records of our transfer agent, as of February 18, 2022, there were 10,460 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We paid per share cash dividends on our common stock of $1.02 each quarterly period of fiscal 2021, $.85 each quarterly period of fiscal 2020, $.75 each quarterly period of the two quarters ended January 3, 2020 and $.685 each quarterly period of fiscal 2019. On February 25, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors increased the quarterly per share cash dividend rate on our common stock from $1.02 to $1.12,commencing with the dividend declared by our Board of Directors for the first quarter of fiscal 2022, for an annualized per share cash dividend rateof $4.48, which was our twenty-first consecutive annual increase in our quarterly cash dividend rate. Our annualized per share cash dividend rate was $4.08 in fiscal 2021, $3.40 in fiscal 2020, $3.00 in the two quarters ended January 3, 2020 and $2.74 in fiscal 2019. Quarterly cash dividends are typically paid in March, June, September and December. We currently expect that cash dividends will continue to be paid in the near future, but we can give no assurances concerning payment of future dividends or future dividend increases. The declaration of dividends and the amount thereof will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, capital requirements, cash flows, results of operations, future business prospects and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
L3Harris Stock Performance Graph
The following performance graph and table do not constitute soliciting material and the performance graph and table should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other previous or future filings by us under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate the performance graph and table by reference therein.
The performance graph and table below compare the 3-year fiscal period ended June 28, 2019, the Fiscal Transition Period, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock (the common stock of Harris Corporation prior to the L3Harris Merger and the common stock of L3Harris Technologies, Inc. after the L3Harris Merger) with the comparable cumulative total returns of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index (“S&P 500”) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Aerospace & Defense Index (“S&P 500 Aerospace & Defense”). The figures in the performance graph and table below assume an initial investment of $100 at the close of business on July 1, 2016 in L3Harris common stock, the S&P 500 and the S&P 500 Aerospace & Defense and the reinvestment of all dividends.
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COMPARISON OF THREE FISCAL-YEAR PERIOD ENDED JUNE 28, 2019 (PRIOR TO L3HARRIS MERGER), FISCAL TRANSITION PERIOD, FISCAL 2020 AND FISCAL 2021 (AFTER L3HARRIS MERGER) CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG L3HARRIS, S&P 500 AND S&P 500 AEROSPACE & DEFENSE
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During fiscal 2021, we did not issue or sell any unregistered securities.
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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On January 28, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a $6.0 billion share repurchase authorization under our repurchase program that was in addition to the remaining unused authorization of $210 million remaining as of January 1, 2021, for a total unused authorization of $6.2 billion.
During fiscal 2021, we repurchased 17.1 million shares of our common stock under our share repurchase program for $3.7 billion at an average share price of $215.28, excluding commissions of $0.02 per share. During fiscal 2020, we repurchased 12.0 million shares of our common stock under our share repurchase program for $2.3 billion at an average share price of $191.40, excluding commissions of $0.02 per share. The level and timing of our repurchases depends on a number of factors, including our financial condition, capital requirements, cash flows, results of operations, future business prospects and other factors our Board of Directors and management may deem relevant. We have announced that we currently expect to repurchase up to $1.5 billion in shares under our repurchase program in fiscal 2022, but we can give no assurances regarding the level and timing of share repurchases. The timing, volume and nature of repurchases are subject to market conditions, applicable securities laws and other factors and are at our discretion and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Shares repurchased by us are cancelled and retired. The following table sets forth information with respect to repurchases by us of our common stock during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021:
Month No. 1
Month No. 2
Month No. 3
_______________
* Periods represent our fiscal months.
(1) Our repurchase program does not have an expiration date and authorizes us to repurchase shares of our common stock through open market purchases, private transactions, transactions structured through investment banking institutions or any combination thereof. As of December 31, 2021, the remaining unused authorization under our repurchase program was $2.5 billion (as reflected in the table above).
(2) Represents a combination of (a) shares of our common stock delivered to us in satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation of holders of performance units, restricted units or restricted shares that vested during the quarter and (b) performance units, restricted units or restricted shares returned to us upon retirement or employment termination of employees. Our equity incentive plans provide that the value of shares delivered to us to pay the exercise price of options or to cover tax withholding obligations shall be the closing price of our common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED.]
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OVERVIEW
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to assist in an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (“fiscal 2021”) compared with the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021 (“fiscal 2020”) and fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020. For a discussion of our results for the two quarters ended January 3, 2020 (“Fiscal Transition Period”) compared with two quarters ended December 28, 2018, see “Item 7. Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2020. This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes appearing elsewhere in this Report. Except for the historical information contained herein, the discussions in this MD&A contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our future results could differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below in this MD&A under “Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that May Affect Future Results.”
The following is a list of the sections of this MD&A, together with our perspective on their contents, which we hope will assist in reading these pages:
•Business Considerations— a general description of our business; the value drivers of our business; fiscal 2021 results of operations and liquidity and capital resources key indicators; and industry-wide opportunities, challenges and risks that are relevant to us in defense, government and commercial markets.
•Operations Review — an analysis of our consolidated results of operations and of the results in each of our business segments, to the extent the segment operating results are helpful to an understanding of our business as a whole, for the periods presented in our financial statements.
•Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Strategies — an analysis of cash flows, funding of pension plans, common stock repurchases, dividends, capital structure and resources, material cash requirements, commercial commitments, financial risk management, impact of foreign exchange and impact of inflation.
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates— a discussion of accounting policies and estimates that require the most judgment and a discussion of accounting pronouncements that have been issued but not yet implemented by us and their potential impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity.
•Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that May Affect Future Results — cautionary information about forward-looking statements and a description of certain risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical results, or our current expectations or projections.
BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
General
We generate revenue, income and cash flows by developing, manufacturing or providing and selling advanced, technology-based solutions that meet government and commercial customers’ mission-critical needs. We support government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries, with our largest customers being various departments and agencies of the U.S. Government and their prime contractors. Our products, systems and services have defense and civil government applications, as well as commercial applications. As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately 47,000 employees, including approximately 19,000 engineers and scientists. We generally sell directly to our customers, and we utilize agents and intermediaries to sell and market some products and services, especially in international markets.
We structure our operations primarily around the products, systems and services we sell and the markets we serve, and for fiscal 2021 we reported the financial results of our continuing operations in the following four operating segments, which were also our reportable segments and are referred to as our business segments:
•Integrated Mission Systems, including multi-mission ISR and communication systems; integrated electrical and electronic systems for maritime platforms; and advanced EO/IR solutions;
•Space & Airborne Systems, including space payloads, sensors and full-mission solutions; classified intelligence and cyber defense; avionics; and electronic warfare;
•Communication Systems, including tactical communications; broadband communications; integrated vision solutions; and public safety radios; global communications solutions and
•Aviation Systems, including defense aviation; commercial aviation products; commercial pilot training; and mission networks for air traffic management.
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During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we adjusted our segment reporting to better align our businesses and transferred two businesses between our Integrated Mission Systems and Space & Airborne Systems segments. The historical results, discussion and presentation of our business segments as set forth in this MD&A reflect the impact of these changes for all periods presented in order to present segment information on a comparable basis. There is no impact on our previously reported consolidated statements of income, balance sheets, statements of cash flows or statements of equity resulting from these changes.
As described in more detail in Note 3: Business Divestitures and Asset Sales and elsewhere in the Notes, during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and the two quarters ended January 3, 2020, we completed the following business divestitures (which had revenue attributable to them as set forth below):
Fiscal Years Ended Two Quarters Ended
Revenue attributable to divested businesses(1):
Narda-MITEQ business $ 84 $ 111 $ 57
EOTech business — 48 27
Applied Kilovolts business — 7 9
Airport security and automation business — 147 263
Harris Night Vision business — — 23
_________________
(1)Net of intracompany sales.See “Item 1. Business” of this Report for more information regarding businesses divested during fiscal 2021 and 2020.
See Note 24: Business Segments in the Notes for further information regarding our business segments, including how we define segment operating income or loss.
As discussed in further detail in Note 4: Business Combination in the Notes, we recorded the following charges at our corporate headquarters in connection with the L3Harris Merger.
Fiscal Years Ended Two Quarters Ended Fiscal Year Ended
Transaction costs, recognized as incurred — — 83 31
Restructuring charges — 10 117 —
Facility consolidation costs — — 48 —
Integration costs, recognized as incurred 128 130 72 34
Because the L3Harris Merger benefited the entire Company as opposed to any individual business segment, the above costs were not allocated to any business segment. Most of the costs above were recorded in the “Engineering, selling and administrative expenses” line item in our Consolidated Statement of Income, except for additional cost of sales related to the fair value step-up in inventory sold and facility consolidation costs. These costs are included in the “Cost of product sales and services” and “Impairment of goodwill and other assets” line items in our Consolidated Statement of Income, respectively.
As described in more detail in Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes, effective June 29, 2019, we changed our fiscal year end to the Friday nearest December 31, and the period that commenced on June 29, 2019 was a fiscal transition period that ended on January 3, 2020. References herein to the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 and two quarters ended December 28, 2018 represent the unaudited prior year results for the comparative periods ended January 3, 2020 and December 28, 2018.
Amounts in this Report may not always add to totals due to rounding.
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Value Drivers of Our Business
During fiscal 2021, we made progress executing our strategy of building a technology-focused operating company and becoming a full end-to-end mission solutions prime contractor to drive shareholder value. Despite impacts from COVID, global supply chain delays and award timing, we met customer commitments, delivered organic revenue growth during fiscal 2021, exceeded our target of $320 million to $350 million in net cost synergies from the L3Harris Merger by the end of 2021 and completed portfolio shaping, while continuing to focus on keeping our employees safe.
We received several key strategic contract awards in fiscal 2021, establishing us as a mission solutions prime contractor with our responsive satellites within missile defense and international aircraft missionization within ISR, as well as highlighting our technology and solutions for the contested environments our customers will need to compete and operate within in the future. We also invested $692 million (4 percent of total revenue) in company-sponsored R&D focused on technologies that expand our capabilities in the following areas:
•Spectrum superiority;
•Actionable intelligence; and
•Warfighter effectiveness.
We also completed reshaping our portfolio to focus on technology-differentiated businesses and expanded our future financial flexibility by completing six divestitures and used the proceeds, along with our net cash provided by operating activities, to repurchase shares of our common stock.
Effective January 1, 2022, we have streamlined our business segments from four to three business segments. As a result of the segment reorganization, the Aviation Systems segment was eliminated as a business segment. Effective for fiscal 2022, which began January 1, 2022, we will report our financial results in three reportable segments. As part of this process, we formed an internal entity that will be focused on pulling together innovative solutions and technologies from across L3Harris.
We plan to build on our fiscal 2021 momentum, and together with broad support for our programs across key areas in the DoD budget, expected international growth, L3Harris Merger synergies and a continued focus on operational excellence and innovation, we believe we are well positioned to achieve our strategic priorities for fiscal 2022 and thereafter, which include the following:
•Investing in innovation internally and externally to support sustainable growth and to bring unique technologies to global defense customers;
•Driving flawless execution through our e3 (excellence, everywhere, every day) operational excellence program; and
•Maximizing cash flows with shareholder friendly capital deployment.
During fiscal 2021, we returned to our shareholders $817 million through dividends and $3.7 billion through share repurchases. On February 25, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a 10 percent increase in the quarterly per share cash dividend rate on our common stock to $1.12, commencing with the dividend to be declared for the first quarter of 2022, for an annualized per share rate of $4.48. In fiscal 2022, we believe revenue growth across our business segments will improve our operating cash flow, which we expect to use to strengthen our portfolio while sustaining a shareholder-friendly capital approach.
Beyond fiscal 2021, we expect three main building blocks will support growth over the next three to five years, although we can give no assurances on this growth. First, we have a portfolio that is well aligned with national security priorities for threats identified in the National Defense Strategy. We have aligned our R&D efforts to extend our position through investments in open architecture, multi-function software-defined technologies, and we anticipate future defense budgets will continue to prioritize spending in the areas in which we are currently well-positioned and investing in new technologies. Second, we are well-positioned to advance our strategy of being a leading non-traditional prime. Third, we expect to leverage our sales channels and capitalize on our strengths domestically to support global modernization efforts and drive growth in international revenue.
Key Indicators
We believe our value drivers, when implemented, will improve our financial results, including: revenue; income from continuing operations and income from continuing operations per diluted common share; income from continuing operations as a percentage of revenue; total backlog; net cash provided by operating activities; return on invested capital (defined as after-tax operating income from continuing operations divided by the two-point average of invested capital at the beginning and end of the period, where invested capital equals equity plus debt, less cash and cash equivalents); return on average equity (defined as income from continuing operations divided by the two-point average of equity at the beginning and end of the fiscal period); and consolidated total indebtedness to total capital ratio. The measure of our success is reflected in our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources key indicators as discussed below.
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Fiscal 2021 Results of Operations Key Indicators: Revenue, income from continuing operations, income from continuing operations as a percentage of revenue, income from continuing operations per diluted common share and total backlog represent key measurements of our value drivers:
•Revenue decreased 2 percent to $17.8 billion in fiscal 2021 from $18.2 billion in fiscal 2020 primarily due to the impact of divestitures within Aviation Systems and supply chain-related constraints within Communication Systems;
•Income from continuing operations attributable to L3Harris common shareholders increased 65 percent to $1,847 million in fiscal 2021 from $1,121 million in fiscal 2020, primarily due to the combined effects of the reasons discussed below under the caption “Operations Review” in this MD&A; particularly, the reduction of non-cash charges for impairments of goodwill and other assets associated with the COVID-related downturn in the commercial aviation market and its impact on customer operations in fiscal 2020;
•Income from continuing operations attributable to L3Harris common shareholders as a percentage of revenue increased to 10 percent in fiscal 2021 from 6 percent in fiscal 2020;
•Income from continuing operations per diluted common share attributable to L3Harris common shareholders increased 75 percent to $9.09 in fiscal 2021 from $5.19 in fiscal 2020, reflecting the increase in income from continuing operations and lower weighted average diluted common shares outstanding due to share repurchases during fiscal 2021; and
•Total backlog decreased 3 percent to $21.1 billion at December 31, 2021 from $21.7 billion at January 1, 2021. Backlog at January 1, 2021 included $1.5 billion associated with businesses divested in fiscal 2021.
Refer to MD&A heading “Operations Review” below in this Report for more information.
Fiscal 2021 Liquidity and Capital Resources Key Indicators: Net cash provided by operating activities, return on invested capital, return on average equity and our consolidated total indebtedness to total capital ratio also represent key measurements of our value drivers:
•Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $2,687 million in fiscal 2021 from $2,790 million in fiscal 2020 reflecting higher net income more than offset by the impacts of non-cash charges for goodwill and other assets, business divestitures, depreciation and amortization of assets and the change in working capital;
•Return on invested capital increased to 7 percent in fiscal 2021 from 4 percent in fiscal 2020;
•Return on average equity increased to 9 percent in fiscal 2021 from 5 percent in fiscal 2020; and
•Our consolidated total indebtedness to total capital ratio at December 31, 2021 was 26.8 percent compared with our 65 percent covenant limitation under our senior unsecured revolving credit facility.
Refer to MD&A heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Strategies” below in this Report for more information on net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities.
We also measure the success of our business using certain measures that are not defined by GAAP, such as adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted free cash flow, which may be calculated differently by other companies. We use these measures, along with our key indicators above, to assess the success of our business and our ability to create shareholder value. We also use some of these and other performance metrics for executive compensation purposes.
Industry-Wide Opportunities, Challenges and Risks
Department of Defense and Other U.S. Federal Markets: Our largest customers are various departments and agencies of the U.S. Government — the percentage of our revenue that was derived from sales to U.S. Government customers, including foreign military sales funded through the U.S. Government, whether directly or through prime contractors, was 75 percent, 78 percent, 73 percent and 77 percent in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, the two quarters ended January 3, 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.
On December 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, providing annual funding for the DoD and other government agencies. This bill appropriates $635 billion in total DoD base funding and $69 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (“OCO”) funding. It also appropriates $28 billion for the Department of Energy national security mission and $9 billion for other defense related activities, resulting in total national defense funding of $741 billion for government fiscal year (“GFY”) 2021. (U.S. Government fiscal years begin October 1 and end September 30). In May 2021, President Biden released his GFY 2022 Budget Request. His request includes $715 billion in DoD base funding, $28 billion for the Department of Energy and $10 billion for other defense related activities, resulting in total requested national defense funding of $753 billion for GFY 2022.
Government Oversight and Risk: As a U.S. Government contractor, we are subject to U.S. Government oversight. The U.S. Government may investigate our business practices and audit our compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Depending on the results of those investigations and audits, the U.S. Government could make claims against us. Under U.S. Government
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procurement regulations and practices, an indictment or conviction of a government contractor could result in that contractor being fined and/or suspended from being able to bid on, or from being awarded, new U.S. Government contracts for a period of time determined by the U.S. Government. Similar government oversight exists in most other countries where we conduct business.
For a discussion of risks relating to U.S. Government contracts and subcontracts, see “Item 1. Business — Principal Customers; Government Contracts” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report. We are also subject to other risks associated with U.S. Government business, including technological uncertainties, dependence on annual appropriations and allotment of funds, extensive regulations and other risks, which are discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of this Report.
State and Local: We also provide products to state and local government agencies that are committed to protecting our homeland and public safety. The public safety market was highly competitive and dependent on state and local government budgets during fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021. Revenue in our Public Safety business sector in fiscal 2020 and the first half of fiscal 2021 was adversely impacted by COVID-related pressures on state and local government customers; however, revenue improved in the second half of fiscal 2021. Future market opportunities include upgrading aging analog infrastructure to new digital standards, as well as opportunities associated with next-generation Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”) solutions for high data-rate applications.
International: We believe there is continuing international demand from military and government customers for tactical radios, electronic warfare equipment, products and systems for maritime platforms, air traffic management, release systems and ISR. We believe we can leverage our domain expertise and proven technology provided in the U.S. to further expand our international business.
We believe that our experience, technologies and capabilities are well aligned with the demand and requirements of the markets noted above in this Report. However, we remain subject to the spending levels, pace and priorities of the U.S. Government, as well as international governments and commercial customers, and to general economic conditions that could adversely affect us, our customers and our suppliers. We also remain subject to other risks associated with these markets, including technological uncertainties, adoption of our new products and other risks that are discussed below in this Report under “Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that May Affect Future Results” and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report.
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OPERATIONS REVIEW
Consolidated Results of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended Four Quarters Ended
Revenue:
Other non-reportable businesses — — * 102 * 23 *
Business divestiture-related gains (losses) 220 (51) * 229 * 229 *
Impairment of goodwill and other assets (207) (767) (73) % (46) * (46) *
Noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes 4 33 (88) % (12) * (24) *
% of total revenue 10 % 6 % 10 % 9 %
_________________
*Not meaningful
Because of the L3Harris Merger, fiscal 2020 reflects the results of the combined Company, while the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 reflect the results of only Harris operating businesses for the two quarters ended June 28, 2019 and the results of the combined Company for the two quarters ended January 3, 2020. Due to the significance of the L3 operating businesses included in the combined Company results following the L3Harris Merger, the reported results for fiscal 2020 and four quarters ended January 3, 2020 generally are not comparable. Therefore, to assist with a discussion of the consolidated results of operations for fiscal 2020 and four quarters ended January 3, 2020 on a more comparable basis, certain supplemental unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statement information, prepared in accordance with the requirements of Article 11 of Regulation S-X (referred to in this MD&A as “pro forma”), also is provided (see “Supplemental Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement Information” below in this MD&A).
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Revenue
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: The decrease in revenue in fiscal 2021 compared with fiscal 2020 was primarily due to divestitures within Aviation Systems and supply chain-related constraints within Communication Systems.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: The increase in revenue in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to the inclusion of $5.5 billion of revenue (net of intercompany sales eliminations) from L3 operations in operating results for the two quarters ended July 3, 2020 (but not for the comparable prior-year two quarters preceding the L3Harris Merger) and organic revenue growth in our Space & Airborne Systems, Integrated Mission Systems and Communication Systems. The increase was partially offset by the impact of divestitures and the COVID-related downturn in the commercial aviation market and its impact on customer operations in fiscal 2020.
See the “Discussion of Business Segment Results of Operations” discussion below in this MD&A for further information.
Gross Margin
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: Gross margin and gross margin as a percentage of revenue (“gross margin percentage”) for fiscal 2021 increased compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to integration benefits and operational excellence,$31 million of lower cost of sales related to the fair value step-up in inventory sold and $12 million of lower amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the L3Harris Merger, partially offset by a mix of program revenue and product sales with relatively lower gross margin percentage.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: Gross margin increased in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 primarily due to the inclusion of L3 operations in operating results for the two quarters ended July 3, 2020 (but not for the comparable prior-year two quarters preceding the L3Harris Merger). Gross margin percentage for fiscal 2020 was comparable with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 reflecting integration benefits and operational excellence, and $111 million of lower cost of sales related to the fair value step-up in inventory sold, offset by a mix of program revenue and product sales with relatively lower gross margin percentage and $37 million of higher amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the L3Harris Merger.
See the “Discussion of Business Segment Results of Operations” discussion below in this MD&A for further information.
Engineering, Selling and Administrative Expenses
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: The decrease in engineering, selling and administrative (“ESA”) expenses in fiscal 2021 was primarily due to $70 million of lower amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the L3Harris Merger, $27 million of lower L3Harris Merger-related transaction, integration and restructuring expenses and the absence in fiscal 2021 of COVID-related restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in fiscal 2020, partially offset by $53 million of higher divestiture-related expenses and the absence in fiscal 2021 of a $22 million gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment recorded in fiscal 2020. ESA expense as a percentage of revenue (“ESA percentage”) in fiscal 2021 was comparable to fiscal 2020.
Overall Company-sponsored R&D costs were $692 million in fiscal 2021 compared with $684 million in fiscal 2020.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: The increase in ESA expenses in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to the inclusion of L3 operations in operating results for the two quarters ended July 3, 2020 (but not for the comparable prior-year two quarters preceding the L3Harris Merger), $333 million of higher amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the L3Harris Merger, $16 million of COVID-related restructuring expenses and other costs and $13 million of higher divestiture-related expenses, partially offset by $254 million of lower L3Harris Merger-related transaction, integration and restructuring expenses and a $22 million gain on sale of property, plant and equipment.
The decrease in ESA percentage in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily driven by cost management, operational excellence, integration benefits, as well as lower L3Harris Merger-related transaction, integration and restructuring expenses and a gain on sale of property, plant and equipment, partially offset by higher amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the L3Harris Merger, COVID-related restructuring expenses and other items and divestiture-related expenses, as discussed above.
Overall Company-sponsored R&D costs were $684 million in fiscal 2020 compared with $504 million in the four quarters ended January 3, 2020.
See the “Discussion of Business Segment Results of Operations” discussion below in this MD&A for further information.
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Business Divestiture-Related Gains (Losses)
The “Business divestiture-related gains (losses)” line item is comprised of the following pre-tax gains (losses) associated with businesses divested:
Fiscal Years Ended
Narda-MITEQ business $ (9) $ —
ESSCO business 31 —
Electron Devices business 31 —
VSE disposal group (29) (18)
CPS business (19) —
Military training business 217 —
EOTech — 2
Airport security and automation business — (23)
Total Business divestiture-related gain (losses) $ 220 $ (51)
_________________
(1)Reflects adjustments to the gains (losses) on completed divestitures not shown above, including for fiscal 2020, $12 million for finalization of purchase price adjustments and recognition of a non-cash adjustment related to working capital, which decreased the $229 million gain initially recognized on the sale of the Harris Night Vision business divested on September 13, 2019.
See Note 3: Business Divestitures and Asset Sales in the Notes for further information.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: Impairment of goodwill and other assets for fiscal 2021 reflects $62 million of non-cash charges for the impairment of goodwill and other assets associated with the divestiture of the CPS business and $145 million of non-cash charges for impairment of identifiable intangible and other long-lived assets related to our CTS reporting unit. Impairment of goodwill and other assets for fiscal 2020 included $748 million of non-cash charges for the impairment of goodwill and other assets associated with the COVID-related downturn in the commercial aviation market and its impact on customer operations, a $14 million non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill recorded in connection with the then-potential divestiture of the VSE disposal group and a $5 million non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill recorded in connection with the divestiture of our Applied Kilovolts business.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: Impairment of goodwill and other assets for fiscal 2020 reflects $748 million of non-cash charges for the impairment of goodwill and other assets associated with the COVID-related downturn in the commercial aviation market and its impact on customer operations, a $14 million non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill recorded in the quarter ended July 3, 2020 in connection with a then-potential divestiture of the VSE disposal group and a $5 million non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill recorded in the quarter ended April 3, 2020 in connection with the then-pending divestiture of our Applied Kilovolts business.
See Note 3: Business Divestitures and Asset Sales and Note 9: Goodwill in the Notes for further information.
Non-Operating Income
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: The increase in non-operating income in fiscal 2021 compared with fiscal 2020 was primarily due to an increase in the non-service cost components of pension and other postretirement benefit plan income partially offset by a $35 million charge for impairment of our equity investment in a nonconsolidated affiliate recorded in the quarter ended July 2, 2021.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: The increase in non-operating income in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in the non-service cost components of pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, reflecting the inclusion of income from benefit plans assumed in connection with the L3Harris Merger.
See Note 20: Non-Operating Income in the Notes for further information.
Net Interest Expense
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: Our net interest expense increased in fiscal 2021 compared with fiscal 2020 primarily due to lower interest income in fiscal 2021, reflecting lower sales-type lease receivables due to the divestiture of the military training business on July 2, 2021.
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Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: Our net interest expense increased in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 primarily due to higher average debt levels as a result of the assumption of $3.5 billion of debt in connection with the L3Harris Merger.
See Note 13: Debt in the Notes for further information.
Income Taxes
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: Our effective tax rate (income taxes as a percentage of income from continuing operations before income taxes) was 19 percent in fiscal 2021 compared with 18 percent in fiscal 2020. During fiscal 2021, we benefited from the net favorable impact of:
•Favorable impact of R&D credits;
•Favorable adjustments upon the resolution of certain audit uncertainties; and
•Excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation; partially offset by
•Unfavorable impact from completed business divestitures.
In fiscal 2020, our effective tax rate benefited from the net favorable impact of:
•Favorable adjustments upon the finalization of our Federal tax returns, primarily due to recently released tax regulations and the resolution of audit uncertainties;
•Favorable impact of R&D credits; and
•Excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation; partially offset by
•Unfavorable impact of non-deductible goodwill impairment charges.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: Our effective tax rate was 18 percent in fiscal 2020 compared with 10 percent in the four quarters ended January 3, 2020. During fiscal 2020, our effective tax rate benefited from the net favorable impact of the reasons stated above in the fiscal 2021 comparison with the fiscal 2020 effective tax rate.
In the four quarters ended January 3, 2020, our effective tax rate benefited from the net favorable impact of:
•Excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation;
•The ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards with a full valuation allowance against capital gains generated from the Harris Night Vision business divestiture;
•The release of reserves for uncertain tax positions due to statute of limitations expirations;
•Additional research credits claimed on our prior year tax returns; and
•Favorable adjustments recorded upon the filing of our Federal tax returns.
See Note 22: Income Taxes in the Notes for further information.
Income From Continuing Operations
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: The increase in income from continuing operations in fiscal 2021 compared with fiscal 2020 was primarily due to the combined effects of the reasons noted in the sections above regarding fiscal 2021 and 2020.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: The decrease in income from continuing operations in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to the combined effects of the reasons in the sections noted above regarding fiscal 2020 and the four quarters ended January 3, 2020.
Income From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Common Share Attributable to L3Harris Common Shareholders
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: The increase in income from continuing operations per diluted common share attributable to L3Harris common shareholders in fiscal 2021 compared with fiscal 2020 was primarily due to higher income from continuing operations and fewer diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, reflecting the repurchases of shares of our common stock under our repurchase program in fiscal 2021.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: The decrease in income from continuing operations per diluted common share attributable to L3Harris common shareholders in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to the combined effects of the reasons in the sections noted above regarding fiscal 2020 and the four quarters ended January 3, 2020, particularly the non-cash charges for impairment of goodwill and other assets and other COVID-related impacts in our Commercial Aviation Solutions reporting unit associated with the downturn in the commercial aviation market and its impact on customer operations, the absence of a prior-year benefit from the gain on the sale of the Harris Night Vision business and divestitures in fiscal 2020, as well as higher diluted weighted average common shares outstanding as a result of 104 million shares issued in connection with the L3Harris Merger, partially offset by share repurchases during fiscal 2020.
See the “Common Stock Repurchases” discussion below in this MD&A for further information.
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Pro Forma Basis Discussion for Fiscal 2020 Compared With the Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020
Revenue
The increase in revenue for fiscal 2020 compared with pro forma revenue for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to growth in core U.S. and international businesses, excluding commercial aviation and public safety markets, which more than offset the COVID-related decline. Revenue growth was driven by $257 million of higher revenue in our Space & Airborne Systems segment, $178 million of higher revenue in our Integrated Mission Systems segment and $165 million of higher revenue in our Communication Systems segment, partially offset by a decline in our Aviation Systems segment, due to the divestiture of the airport security and automation business and COVID-related impacts.
Gross Margin
The increase in gross margin and comparability of gross margin percentage for fiscal 2020 compared with pro forma gross margin and gross margin percentage for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 reflects integration benefits, higher volume, operational excellence and $111 million of lower cost of sales related to the fair value step-up in inventory sold in the L3Harris Merger, partially offset by a mix of program revenue and product sales with relatively lower gross margin percentage in fiscal 2020.
Engineering, Selling and Administrative Expenses
The decreases in ESA expenses and ESA percentage for fiscal 2020 compared with pro forma ESA expenses and ESA percentage for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 were primarily due to $262 million of lower L3Harris Merger-related transaction, integration and restructuring expenses, a $22 million gain on sale of property, plant and equipment and integration savings, partially offset by $105 million of higher amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the L3Harris Merger, $16 million of COVID-related restructuring expenses and other costs and $13 million of higher divestiture-related expenses in fiscal 2020.
Business Divestiture-Related Gains (Losses)
Business divestiture-related gains (losses) for fiscal 2020 and the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 on a pro forma basis included the same items as noted above for fiscal 2020 and the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 on an as reported basis.
See Note 3: Business Divestitures and Asset Sales in the Notes for further information.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets
Impairment of goodwill and other assets for fiscal 2020 and the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 on a pro forma basis reflects the same charges as noted above for fiscal 2020 and the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 on an as reported basis.
See Note 3: Business Divestitures and Asset Sales and Note 9: Goodwill in the Notes for further information.
Non-Operating Income
The increase in non-operating income for fiscal 2020 compared with pro forma non-operating income for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in the non-service cost components of pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, partially offset by a $23 million gain on a pension plan curtailment in the four quarters ended January 3, 2020.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense for fiscal 2020 was largely unchanged compared with pro forma net interest expense for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020.
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate was 18 percent in fiscal 2020 compared with a 10 percent pro forma effective tax rate for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 was impacted by the same items as noted above for fiscal 2020 on an as reported basis.
See “Supplemental Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement Information” below in this MD&A for information regarding our pro forma effective tax rate for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020.
Income From Continuing Operations
The decrease in income from continuing operations for fiscal 2020 compared with pro forma income from continuing operations for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to the combined effects of the reasons noted above in this “Pro Forma” discussion, particularly the non-cash charges for impairment of goodwill and other assets in our Commercial Aviation Solutions reporting unit associated with the COVID-related downturn in the commercial aviation market and its impact on customer operations, the absence of a prior-year benefit from the gain on the sale of the Harris Night Vision business, and divestitures in fiscal 2020.
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Income From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Common Share Attributable to L3Harris Common Shareholders
The decrease in income from continuing operations per diluted common share attributable to L3Harris common shareholders for fiscal 2020 compared with pro forma income from continuing operations per diluted common share attributable to L3Harris common shareholders for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to lower income from continuing operations, as discussed above, partially offset by a decrease in our diluted weighted average common shares outstanding from shares of our common stock repurchased under our repurchase program during fiscal 2020.
See the “Common Stock Repurchases” discussion below in this MD&A for further information.
Supplemental Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement Information
The following supplemental unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statement information prepared in accordance with the requirements of Article 11 of Regulation S-X provides further information supporting the preparation of the supplemental unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information for the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 provided above in the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion in this MD&A and has been prepared to give effect to the L3Harris Merger under the acquisition method of accounting. It combines the historical results of operations of Harris and L3 and reflects the L3Harris Merger as if it closed on June 30, 2018, the first day of Harris’ fiscal 2019, and gives effect to pro forma events that are (a) directly attributable to the L3Harris Merger, (b) factually supportable and (c) expected to have a continuing impact on our results of operations. The adjustments include adjustments to reflect the sale of the Harris Night Vision business, which is directly attributable to the L3Harris Merger, but do not include any adjustments for the use of proceeds from such sale, because the use is not directly attributable to the L3Harris Merger. The pro forma condensed combined income statement information is provided for informational and supplemental purposes only, and does not purport to indicate what L3Harris’ results of operations would have been, or L3Harris’ future results of operations, had the L3Harris Merger actually occurred on June 30, 2018. The supplemental unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statement information should be read in conjunction with other sections of this MD&A, our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes appearing elsewhere in this Report.
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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income
For the Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020
Business divestiture-related gains — — — — 229 229
Impairment of right-of-use asset — — — — (46) (46)
Merger, acquisition and divestiture related expenses — (45) 45 j — — —
Interest and other income, net — 15 19 g — — —
Debt retirement charges — (3) 3 j — — —
Noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes — (12) — (12) (12) (24)
Notes:
a.Reflects the elimination of intercompany balances and transactions between L3 and Harris.
b.Reflects the sale of the Harris Night Vision business.
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c.Reflects the net increase in amortization expense related to the fair value of acquired finite-lived identifiable intangible assets and the elimination of historical amortization expense recognized by L3 for the two quarters ended June 28, 2019. Assumptions and details are as follows:
(In years) (In millions)
Identifiable Intangible Assets Acquired:
Trade names — Divisions 9 123 6
Adjustment to engineering, selling and administrative expenses 228
Less: L3 historical amortization (24)
Adjustment to cost of product sales and services 9
Total net adjustment to amortization expense $ 237
_________
(1) As of May 4, 2020, the date of filing our Current Report on Form 8-K.
d.Represents the elimination of transaction costs, which were included in merger, acquisition and divestiture related expenses in L3’s historical statement of operations and in engineering, selling and administrative expenses in Harris’ historical statement of income.
e.In connection with the L3Harris Merger, on October 12, 2018, each company entered into a letter of agreement with its Chief Executive Officer, to outline the terms of each such person’s role and compensation arrangements following the merger. Amounts shown reflect the increase in compensation expense as a result of these modified arrangements.
f.Reflects the impact of change-in-control payments under certain post-retirement and share-based and deferred compensation arrangements.
g.Reflects the elimination of amortization of net actuarial losses from accumulated comprehensive loss related to L3’s postretirement benefit plans as part of purchase accounting.
h.Reflects the elimination of amortization of deferred debt issuance costs as part of purchase accounting.
i.Reflects amortization of the increase to L3’s long-term debt based on a $172 million fair value adjustment.
j.Certain amounts from L3’s historical statement of operations data were reclassified to conform their presentation to that of Harris. These reclassifications include:
1.Merger, acquisition and divestiture related expenses were reclassified to engineering, selling and administrative expenses; and
2.Interest and other income, net which was reclassified to interest income.
k.Represents the income tax impact of the pro forma adjustments, using the blended worldwide tax rates for L3, in the case of pro forma adjustments to L3’s historical results, and the federal and state statutory tax rates for Harris, in the case of pro forma adjustments to Harris’ historical results. As a result, the combined statutory tax rate used to tax-effect the pro forma adjustments was 25 percent for the two quarters ended June 28, 2019. This tax rate does not represent the combined company’s effective tax rate, which will include other tax charges and benefits, and does not take into account any historical or possible future tax events that may impact the combined company following the consummation of the L3Harris Merger.
l.Increase in common stock due to shares of L3Harris common stock issued for outstanding L3 common stock and in respect of vested L3 restricted stock units and L3 performance stock units. Diluted shares also include the dilutive impact of L3Harris stock options issued in replacement of L3 stock options calculated using the treasury stock method.
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Discussion of Business Segment Results of Operations
Integrated Mission Systems Segment
Fiscal Years Ended Four Quarters Ended
(Dollars in millions) As Reported As Reported As Reported (Unaudited) Pro forma
As Reported
Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020: The increase in segment revenue in fiscal 2021 compared with fiscal 2020 was primarily due to $210 million of higher revenue in ISR, driven by aircraft missionization on a North Atlantic Treaty Organization program, $53 million of higher revenue in Maritime, reflecting a ramp on key platforms and $19 million higher revenue in Electro Optical reflecting higher product deliveries. The funded backlog for this segment was $6.2 billion at December 31, 2021 compared with $6.3 billion at January 1, 2021.
The increases in segment operating income and operating income as a percentage of revenue (“operating margin percentage”) in fiscal 2021 compared with fiscal 2020 were primarily due to e3 and program performance, expense management and integration benefits.
The percentage of this segment’s revenue that was derived from sales to U.S. Government customers, including foreign military sales funded through the U.S. Government, whether directly or through prime contractors, was 70 percent in fiscal 2021.
Fiscal 2020 Compared With Four Quarters Ended January 3, 2020: The increases in segment revenue, operating income and operating margin percentage in fiscal 2020 compared with the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 was primarily due to the inclusion of L3 operations in segment operating results for the two quarters ended July 3, 2020 (but not for the comparable prior-year two quarters preceding the L3Harris Merger). Because the Integrated Mission Systems segment is almost entirely comprised of L3 businesses, comparison to the four quarters ended January 3, 2020 segment operating metrics is not meaningful. The funded backlog for this segment was $6.3 billion at January 1, 2021 compared with $5.3 billion at January 3, 2020.
The percentage of this segment’s revenue that was derived from sales to U.S. Government customers, including foreign military sales funded through the U.S. Government, whether directly or through prime contractors, was 77 percent in fiscal 2020.
Pro Forma