Harris Computer Systems

Harris Computer Systems was an American computer systems company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its direct corporate existence was brief: Harris Computer Systems Corporation was established as a spin-off from Harris Corporation in October 1994 and was acquired by Concurrent Computer Corporation in 1996. The business nevertheless represented the continuation of a computing operation with roots reaching back to Datacraft Corporation, founded in Fort Lauderdale in 1967. Datacraft initially concentrated on minicomputers for scientific, engineering, and educational customers. Its best-known early machines were the 24-bit DC-6024 systems, introduced in 1969. The architecture used comparatively efficient floating-point hardware and was positioned as a practical alternative to systems from competitors such as Systems Engineering Laboratories. Harris Corporation acquired Datacraft in 1974, turning the operation into the Harris Computer Systems Division. For roughly two decades, the division developed and marketed computers, operating systems, language tools, and security products under the Harris name. The division's H-Series minicomputers were central to its 24-bit product strategy. Models such as the H80, H100, H800, and H1200 emphasized virtual memory, multiprocessing, real-time workloads, and compatibility with existing application programs. Harris supported a broad programming environment that included Fortran, COBOL, Pascal, BASIC, APL, SNOBOL, RPG, and assembly language. Because the company served defense-related customers, it also developed Ada compilers and associated runtime and development tools. Harris's operating-system strategy evolved as the company moved from 24-bit hardware toward 32-bit systems. The early Vulcan operating system began giving way to VOS during the early 1980s. Later, the company offered the CX/RT real-time operating system, CX/SX for security-sensitive installations, and CX/UX with a Unix foundation. These variants shared object and file formats and could coexist on the same storage system. CX/SX was particularly significant in government markets because it achieved U.S. government security ratings associated with B1-level trusted systems. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Night Hawk family had become Harris's leading systems business. Introduced in 1989 around Motorola 88000 processors, Night Hawk machines were designed for demanding real-time applications such as aerospace simulation, flight training, signal processing, command-and-control, intelligence, and communications. Models included the NH-1200, NH-3400, NH-4400, NH-4800, and NH-5800. Harris announced a shift to PowerPC architecture in 1992, continuing to emphasize multiprocessing and deterministic real-time performance. The independent company created in 1994 focused on real-time simulation, training simulation, data acquisition and control, and secure computing. Night Hawk remained its principal product family and was especially associated with flight simulators. The company also introduced CyberGuard, a network-security product intended to protect government and other systems from unauthorized network intrusion. Its Ada activities continued through compiler products, APSE-related runtime environments, symbolic debugging and tracing tools, and participation in work relating to the Ada Semantic Interface Specification. Harris Computer Systems competed most directly with Concurrent Computer Corporation and also faced competition from Encore Computer. An attempted Harris-led acquisition of Concurrent in 1995 failed after business, legal, and cultural disagreements. Negotiations later resumed with the transaction proceeding in the opposite direction. In June 1996, Concurrent acquired Harris's high-performance computer business. The PowerPC-based Night Hawk operation largely continued, while Concurrent's alternative product line was reduced in importance. CyberGuard was excluded from the transaction; the remaining Harris c…

Harris Computer Systems developed from Datacraft Corporation, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, computer manufacturer established in 1967. Datacraft targeted scientific, engineering, and educational users with minicomputers. Its DC-6024 line, introduced in 1969, used a 24-bit architecture and became known for practical floating-point performance. Numbered variants such as the DC-6024/1 and DC-6024/4 were commonly identified as the Slash 1 and Slash 4 systems. Harris Corporation acquired Datacraft in 1974 and reorganized it as the Harris Computer Systems Division. The division expanded its 24-bit line through the H-Series, including the H80, H100, H800, and H1200. These systems emphasized virtual memory, multiprocessing, real-time operation, and continuity for installed customers. Compatibility between generations helped customers preserve existing application software. Harris supported numerous languages, including Fortran, COBOL, Pascal, BASIC, APL, SNOBOL, RPG, and assembly language, and created Ada tools for defense and government programs. The division's software environment changed over time. Vulcan was the original H-Series operating system, with VOS becoming increasingly important from about 1982. As Harris moved toward 32-bit architectures, Unix-based systems displaced the earlier 24-bit environment. The resulting CX family included CX/RT for real-time applications, CX/SX for highly secure installations, and CX/UX for Unix-oriented deployments. The systems shared important object and file formats and could operate together. CX/SX's government security evaluations helped Harris compete for sensitive public-sector contracts. Harris's late-stage hardware strategy centered on Night Hawk. The first systems appeared in 1989 using Motorola 88000 processors and were aimed at aerospace simulation, flight training, signal processing, and command-and-control applications. Later models included the NH-1200, NH-3400, NH-4400, NH-4800, and NH-5800. Harris announced a move to PowerPC in 1992. The resulting systems combined high performance, multiprocessing, and real-time behavior, making them suitable for demanding government and commercial installations. Harris also sold a government-oriented firewall and network-security product that became known as CyberGuard. On October 7, 1994, Harris Computer Systems Corporation was established through a spin-off to Harris Corporation shareholders. The new company inherited the Fort Lauderdale headquarters and a workforce of approximately 480 employees. Its stated areas included real-time and training simulation, data acquisition and control, and secure systems. Night Hawk was the principal offering, with particular strength in flight-simulator applications. The business also continued its Ada compiler, runtime, debugging, and tracing activities. The independent company attempted to acquire Concurrent Computer Corporation in 1995, but negotiations became contentious and failed. Discussions resumed later, this time resulting in Concurrent's acquisition of Harris's high-performance computing business in June 1996. Harris executive E. Courtney Siegel became Concurrent's chief executive, while Concurrent's previous chief executive moved to the board chairmanship. The surviving operation was concentrated around the PowerPC-based Night Hawk business, and Concurrent's competing product line was gradually deemphasized. CyberGuard was excluded and remained with the residual Harris entity, which subsequently renamed itself CyberGuard Corporation. Harris Computer Systems consequently ceased to exist as an independent operating company.

1. 1996High-performance computing business acquired by Concurrent

   Concurrent acquired the Harris high-performance computer operation, ending Harris Computer Systems' independent corporate life.

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2. 1994Harris Computer Systems Corporation spun off

   The independent corporation was created on October 7, carrying forward Harris's real-time computing business.

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3. 1992PowerPC transition announced

   Harris announced that its Night Hawk strategy would move to PowerPC architecture.

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4. 1989Night Hawk systems introduced

   The first Night Hawk real-time systems appeared using Motorola 88000 processors.

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5. 1984Unix compatibility introduced

   Harris began supporting coexistence between VOS and Unix as it transitioned toward newer architectures.

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6. 1982VOS begins replacing Vulcan

   Harris began transitioning H-Series customers from the Vulcan operating system toward VOS.

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7. 1974Datacraft acquired by Harris Corporation

   The acquisition created the Harris Computer Systems Division.

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8. 1969DC-6024 minicomputer introduced

   Datacraft introduced its 24-bit DC-6024 line, including later Slash-numbered variants.

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9. 1967Datacraft Corporation founded

   Datacraft was established in Fort Lauderdale to develop minicomputers for scientific, engineering, and educational applications.

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High-performance, multiprocessing, and secure real-time computing for aerospace, defense, government, telecommunications, scientific engineering, simulation, and control applications.

• DC-6024Scientific and engineering minicomputer1969

  Datacraft's best-known early computer family used a 24-bit architecture and was introduced for scientific, engineering, and educational workloads. Slash-numbered variants such as the DC-6024/1 and DC-6024/4 were noted for economical floating-point support and competed with systems from Systems Engineering Laboratories.

• H-SeriesMinicomputer

  The H-Series included models such as the H80, H100, H800, and H1200. These 24-bit systems emphasized virtual memory, multiprocessing, real-time operation, and binary compatibility so that established application programs could continue running across newer hardware generations.

• CX operating-system familyOperating system1984

  Harris offered CX/RT for real-time processing, CX/SX for security-sensitive government environments, and CX/UX for Unix-oriented installations. The variants shared object and file formats and could coexist on a common disk system. CX/SX was used in applications requiring evaluated computer security controls.

• Night HawkReal-time computer system1989

  Night Hawk was Harris Computer Systems' principal late-period hardware family. Its multiprocessor systems were designed for real-time simulation, flight training, aerospace modeling, signal processing, command-and-control, and other workloads where predictable response and high computational throughput mattered. Models included the NH-1200, NH-3400, NH-4400, NH-4800, and NH-5800.

• CyberGuardNetwork security and firewall product1994

  CyberGuard was a network-security product developed for government and other customers seeking protection against unauthorized network access. It was not included in Concurrent's 1996 acquisition of the high-performance computing business and remained with the residual Harris organization.

• Ada compiler and runtime toolsSoftware development tools

  Harris maintained an Ada software business that included compilers, APSE-related runtime environments, symbolic debugging, and tracing capabilities. The activity reflected the company's long-standing focus on defense, government, and safety-sensitive computing environments.

• 1996Sell the high-performance computer business to ConcurrentM&A

  After the failed Harris-led acquisition discussions, both companies resumed negotiations and agreed on a transaction involving Harris's high-performance computing operation.

  What changed. Concurrent acquired the business in June 1996. Harris executive E. Courtney Siegel became Concurrent's chief executive, while Concurrent's existing chief executive became board chair.

  Aftermath. The PowerPC-based Night Hawk business continued, Concurrent's competing product line was deemphasized, and CyberGuard remained outside the deal. The remaining Harris entity later became CyberGuard Corporation.

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• 1995Attempted acquisition of Concurrent ComputerM&A

  Concurrent was Harris Computer Systems' principal competitor in high-performance real-time computing.

  What changed. Harris initiated discussions to acquire Concurrent, but negotiations failed amid business, legal, and cultural disagreements.

  Aftermath. The companies later resumed negotiations with Concurrent acquiring Harris's high-performance computer business instead.

  • Concurrent Computer Corporation — Concurrent ultimately pursued the transaction as the acquiring party in 1996.
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• 1994Spin off the computer systems divisionStrategy

  Harris Corporation considered the computer systems operation a profitable but specialized business that could pursue capital and growth independently.

  What changed. Harris Computer Systems Corporation was created as a separate public company on October 7, 1994.

  Aftermath. The independent company focused on real-time simulation, training, data acquisition and control, and secure systems before being acquired by Concurrent in 1996.

  Revenue and prior-year earnings at spin-off. Approximately $60 million revenue and approximately $2 million earnings (Year preceding the October 1994 spin-off)

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• 1992Shift the Night Hawk platform to PowerPCStrategy

  Harris was moving beyond its earlier 24-bit systems and Motorola 88000-based Night Hawk machines while preserving a focus on high-performance real-time computing.

  What changed. The company announced that future Night Hawk systems would use PowerPC architecture.

  Aftermath. The PowerPC-based Night Hawk business became the principal Harris operation to continue after Concurrent acquired the high-performance computing business in 1996.

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• 1996Concurrent Computer acquires Harris high-performance computer business

  Concurrent acquired Harris Computer Systems' high-performance computer business. The PowerPC-based Night Hawk operation continued, while CyberGuard remained outside the transaction.

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• 1995Harris Computer Systems seeks to acquire Concurrent Computer

  Harris, led by E. Courtney Siegel, explored acquiring its principal competitor, Concurrent Computer Corporation. The talks broke down amid business, legal, and cultural disagreements.

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• 1994Harris Corporation spins off Harris Computer Systems

  Harris Computer Systems Corporation was formed as a separate company in a spin-off to Harris Corporation shareholders, with the former division's Fort Lauderdale operations and real-time computing business.

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1. Harris Computer Systems