Harris Corp. will keep headquarters in Florida

Harris Corp. announced Friday that it will keep its headquarters in Melbourne, Fla.

The technology company recently acquired McLean-based defense contractor Exelis Inc. for $4.75 billion, leading to speculation that Harris would move its headquarters to Virginia.

Harris is reorganizing itself into four “market-focused segments,” but the company said its headquarters would stay in  Florida where it has been since 1978. The company employs about 6,000 people in the Sunshine State.

Two of the company’s new business segments also will be based in Florida, but its new Critical Networks segment will be based in Herndon.

The Virginia division will combine elements of Harris and Exelis businesses. It will provide managed services supporting air traffic management, energy and maritime communications, and ground network operation and sustainment, as well as IT and engineering services.

Harris has operated in Virginia for more than 40 years and has about 3,000 employees in the commonwealth.

Harris’ Electronic Systems and Space Intelligence Systems segments will based in Palm Bay, Fla., while its Communications Systems segment will be in Rochester, N.Y.

Harris has about 23,000 employees and $8 billion in annual revenue.