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    LHX
    Earnings call· Jun 2025(Q2 FY25)

    L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. /DE/ Q2 FY25 earnings call LHX

    Jul 24, 2025 Source

    Executive summary

    L3Harris Technologies Q2 FY25 — Record Book-to-Bill and Raised Guidance

    L3Harris Technologies reported a strong Q2 FY25, marked by record orders and robust organic growth, driven by increased global defense spending and strategic portfolio alignment. The company is accelerating cost savings and production ramps, particularly in missile systems and space architectures, positioning it for sustained profitable growth and increased free cash flow through 2026 and beyond. Management emphasized its ability to deliver on schedule as a key differentiator for future opportunities.

    Highlights

    5
    • Achieved a record book-to-bill of 1.53, reflecting strong demand across all segments.

    • Posted the highest organic revenue growth in 6 quarters at 6%.

    • Segment operating margin expanded by 30 basis points YoY to 15.9%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of expansion.

    • LHX NeXt cost savings are tracking 40% ahead of target and a year earlier than planned, expecting over $1.4 billion by end of 2025.

    • Aerojet Rocketdyne delivered 12% organic growth and a 2.0 book-to-bill, doubling deliveries and production rate since acquisition.

    Concerns

    3
    • Experienced an unfavorable EAC adjustment in the IMS segment due to lower utilization on the Canadian Maritime Helicopter program, partially offsetting margin gains.

    • Non-GAAP EPS guidance increase was partially offset by a $0.30 headwind from recent tax reform.

    • Noted potential softness in military radio line items in the FY26 President's budget request, though mitigated by new line items and international demand.

    Guidance & targets

    13
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Full-year 2025 Revenue
    5% organic growth
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 Segment Operating Margin
    mid to high 15%
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 Non-GAAP EPS
    Raised by $0.10
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 Free Cash Flow
    ~$2.65 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2026 Revenue
    $23 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2026 Segment Operating Margin
    low 16% range
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2026 Free Cash Flow
    $3 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 IMS Revenue
    Increased by $100 million
    medium materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 IMS Operating Margin
    12% range
    medium materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 SAS Revenue
    Increased by $100 million
    medium materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 SAS Operating Margin
    low 12% range
    medium materiality
    High
    Full-year 2025 CS and AR Guidance
    Reaffirmed
    medium materiality
    High
    Free Cash Flow per share CAGR
    15%
    high materiality
    High

    Segment performance

    4
    SegmentRevenueYoYQoQMargin
    Communication Systems (CS)
    Driven by increased demand for resilient communication equipment and related waveforms. Margin reflects higher domestic volumes and LHX NeXt-driven cost savings.
    Book-to-bill: 1.1-1.3 rangeKey comm sector backlog: ~$3 billion (50% increase from a few years ago)
    $1.4 billion2%24.4%
    Intelligence, Missiles & Space (IMS)
    Revenue increased due to ramp-up of several classified ISR programs. Operating margin increased due to the monetization of legacy end-of-life assets, partially offset by an unfavorable EAC adjustment from the Canadian Maritime Helicopter program.
    Operating margin change: up 120 bps
    $1.6 billion6% organically13.2%
    Space & Airborne Systems (SAS)
    Primarily due to increased volume in FAA networks and improved program performance in airborne Combat Systems. Margin down due to unfavorable mix, partially offset by LHX NeXt cost savings.
    Operating margin change: down 30 bps
    $1.8 billion7% organically12.3%
    Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR)
    Delivered strong results with 12% organic growth and a 2.0 book-to-bill. Growth driven by improved production volume across key missile programs and new program ramps, marking the highest revenue quarter on record for AR. Operating margin increased due to solid performance, LHX NeXt-driven cost savings, and a favorable contract resolution.
    Book-to-bill: 2.0Operating margin change: increased 50 bpsMissile Solutions business growth: 15% in quarter, 16% YTD
    12% organic growth13.3%

    Operational metrics

    16
    Segment operating margin
    15.9%up 30 bps YoY
    Q2 FY25

    Marking the seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year margin expansion.

    Non-GAAP EPS
    $2.78up 16% YoY
    Q2 FY25
    Pension-adjusted EPS
    $2.42up 22% YoY
    Q2 FY25
    LHX NeXt cost savings
    $1.4 billion40% ahead of target
    by end of 2025

    On track to achieve 2026 margin target.

    LHX NeXt cost savings passed to customer
    60-70%
    ongoing

    The remainder will be passed back to the customer through lower cost and essentially providing some benefit to the customer as well as our competitive positioning for winning new work.

    Organic revenue growth
    6%
    Q2 FY25

    Highest organic growth in 6 quarters, driven by new programs ramping and increased demand across all segments.

    F-35 systems status
    ahead of need
    current

    Off the critical path for combat-capable TR3 aircraft.

    Missionized Global 6500 deliveries
    2nd
    Q2 FY25

    For ISR, reinforcing position as world's leading bizjet missionization provider.

    Aircraft under modification
    14
    current

    Platform-agnostic approach and speed to field capability continue to differentiate offerings.

    Total aircraft delivered (bizjet missionization)
    over 100
    cumulative

    Reinforcing position as world's leading bizjet missionization provider.

    Titan program AI-defined vehicles
    4
    nearing initial deliveries

    Equipped with common data links, Link16, Secure SATCOM and tactical multi-domain waveforms, enabling the Army to process targeting data faster and more effectively on the battlefield.

    International revenue share
    ~20%
    historical

    Of total revenue from international customers in Europe.

    National defense funding
    ~$1 trillion
    FY26 budget request

    Focused in areas where L3Harris is well positioned.

    Tactical Data Link (TDL) revenue growth
    upper single digits
    since Jan 2023

    Accretive to CS and L3Harris.

    Aerojet Rocketdyne revenue target
    $5 billion
    by end of decade

    Aspirational goal with good visibility.

    Mission Networks business size
    ~$1 billion
    current

    With good margins, expected to continue to grow.

    Industry KPIs

    8
    MetricValueDetails
    Book to bill ratio1.53
    Total company backlog
    Defense program awards$200 millionUSD
    Program segment backlog~$3 billionUSD
    Unit deliveries by program2ndmissionized Global 6500
    Production rates by programdoubledproduction rate
    Program margins eac chargesunfavorable EAC adjustment
    Production capacity expansionsignificantly increasecapacity

    Orderbook & backlog

    3
    Total orders$8.3 billionQ2 FY25
    Key comm sector backlog~$3 billionQ2 FY25

    50% increase from a few years ago

    RL10 engines award130 unitsQ2 FY25

    Valued at nearly $850 million (corrected from $850 billion due to ASR error)

    Product announcements

    1
    ProductTypeDetails
    Wolf Packlaunch

    Deals & partnerships

    3
    GermanyDeliver software-defined, interoperable communication systems.~$200 million

    Secure, resilient communications across NATO allies are critical to operational readiness. Adds to recent wins for Falcon software-defined radios.

    Czech armed forcesDeliver software-defined, interoperable communication systems.

    Adds to recent wins for Falcon software-defined radios, along with continued momentum on U.S. Army's HMS programs.

    PalantirOngoing partnership on U.S. Army's Titan program.

    Team nearing initial deliveries on the first 4 AI-defined vehicles equipped with L3Harris's common data links, Link16, Secure SATCOM and tactical multi-domain waveforms.

    Capital programs

    2
    Solid Rocket Motor Production Facility Expansion (Virginia)underway
    Start: Q2 FY25 (groundbreaking)

    Benefit: Significantly increase capacity, enhance efficiency and quality, reduce product travel time distances by 90%.

    Includes a cast and assembly center. Complements similar expansions in Arkansas and Alabama. Major step forward in building out the defense industrial base.

    Space Sensor Manufacturing & Payload Integration (Florida & Indiana)underway

    Benefit: Scale up space sensor manufacturing and payload integration to deliver HBTSS Constellation.

    Investments made in preparation for Golden Dome initiative.

    Risks & headwinds

    3
    Unfavorable EAC adjustment on Canadian Maritime Helicopter programQ2 FY25

    partially offset margin gains

    Mitigation: Contract is nearing completion, no expectation of more negative EAC adjustments.

    Tax reform headwindFY25

    $0.30 impact on Non-GAAP EPS

    Mitigation: Offset by strong operating performance and higher revenue outlook.

    Potential softness in military radio line items in FY26 PBRFY26

    Softer line items in '26 PBR for military radio (HMS and comp lines)

    Mitigation: Offset by new 'NextGen Command and Control' (NGC2) line item which includes L3Harris's capabilities, and continued international growth opportunities.

    What to watch in Q3 FY25

    5

    HBTSS constellation contract award

    by end of 2025
    CurrentGeneral Guetlein confirmed, 60-day study to refine architecture underway.
    TargetContract under contract by end of 2025.

    Why it matters

    This is the only program highlighted in the executive order and a critical component of the Golden Dome architecture, impacting future revenue.

    I think given the fact that this was the only program highlighted in the executive order, we'd be hopeful that we could get something under contract by the end of the year, and maybe that contributes a little bit of the revenue for '25 and clearly a fair amount in '26.

    Q&A highlights

    8

    Explanation of 'monetizing legacy end-of-life assets' and runway left for LHX NeXt cost reductions, including footprint reductions.

    Asset monetization involves exiting small, non-core product lines to repurpose footprint and focus on strategic growth. LHX NeXt cost reductions will largely be complete by end of 2025, transitioning to ongoing operational improvement (E3) and digital transformation.

    As we look at that, we do see a couple of areas where some of the product lines don't necessarily align with the areas of growth that we're investing in and really focused on. And as we see that, we look to monetize those product lines. Think of it as taking future revenue and pulling it forward a little bit.

    asked by Richard Safran · answered by Kenneth Bedingfield

    2 min read6 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Trusted Disruptor Strategy & Market Alignment

    L3Harris's 'trusted disruptor' strategy, coupled with strategic investments, acquisitions, and divestitures, has aligned its portfolio with critical DoD priorities. This positioning allows the company to capitalize on increased global threats and accelerated investments in space-based architectures, missile systems, autonomous platforms, and software-defined capabilities, enabling rapid delivery and execution. Management highlighted that companies delivering on schedule will be rewarded with new opportunities like Golden Dome and missile capacity expansion.

    02

    LHX NeXt Program Success

    The LHX NeXt cost savings program is significantly ahead of schedule, tracking 40% beyond its $1 billion target and a year earlier than planned, with over $1.4 billion in savings expected by the end of 2025. This initiative is driving enterprise transformation, digitizing core processes, and embedding AI-enabled tools, contributing to improved operational performance and sustained growth. The program is expected to be largely complete by the end of 2025, transitioning to an ongoing operational improvement effort.

    03

    Aerojet Rocketdyne Integration & Growth

    The integration of Aerojet Rocketdyne is complete, with the business doubling deliveries and production rates, and reducing the cost of poor quality. This performance led to a record revenue quarter for AR, driven by unprecedented🌐 demand in Missile Solutions and significant awards for space propulsion, positioning it for durable growth for decades. The company aims for $5 billion in AR revenue by the end of the decade, with strong visibility into tactical, interceptor, and large solid rocket motor programs.

    04

    International Expansion & NATO Spending

    International markets present robust opportunities, with NATO members targeting defense spending increases to 5% of GDP for restocking and modernization. L3Harris is securing significant orders, such as software-defined radio awards from Germany and Czech armed forces, by offering resilient, interoperable technology that replaces indigenous providers. The company maintains about 20% of its revenue from international customers and sees sustained medium- to long-term international growth.

    05

    Golden Dome & Missile Capacity Expansion

    L3Harris is actively preparing for the Golden Dome initiative, ready to deploy a constellation of 40-45 HBTSS satellites. The company is also rapidly scaling solid rocket motor manufacturing through investments in Arkansas and Virginia to meet urgent national demand for interceptor programs. These efforts, including a new production facility in Virginia, reflect a commitment to accelerate deliveries and increase capacity, responding to clear demand signals from the DoD.

    06

    Mission Networks & FAA Modernization

    The Mission Networks business within SAS, focused on telecommunications infrastructure, is experiencing renewed growth. L3Harris successfully upgraded the Newark Airport's telecom infrastructure and sees numerous opportunities to transition thousands of older FAA sites to fiber. This sector, valued around $1 billion with good margins, supports national security infrastructure and air traffic control modernization, with L3Harris focusing on its sweet spot rather than being a prime integrator for the entire system.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.