L3Harris Removes CEO Christopher Kubasik Following Code of Conduct Investigation

L3Harris Technologies has removed its Chairman and CEO Christopher Kubasik, effective immediately, following a board investigation that found he had violated the company's code of conduct.

The company stated that Kubasik's abrupt departure was unrelated to its financial reporting, internal controls, customer relationships, or operational performance.

L3Harris said Kubasik will receive no severance payments or benefits and no accelerated vesting of unvested equity awards. He will be allowed to retain and exercise certain stock options that had already vested.

The company has named Sam Mehta as its new president and CEO, and appointed him to the board. Mehta had been leading the company's Space & Mission Systems and Communications & Spectrum Dominance segments, which together account for more than 80% of L3Harris revenue.

Mehta joined L3Harris in 2023 after serving as president of Advanced Structures at Collins Aerospace. He previously spent more than 17 years at Sikorsky.

The board has also named lead independent director Lewis Hay III as chairman.

This leadership change marks the second time Kubasik has lost a top aerospace and defense job following a conduct investigation.

In 2012, Lockheed Martin removed Kubasik just weeks before he was scheduled to become CEO after an ethics investigation found that he had maintained a close personal relationship with a subordinate employee.

Citing two people briefed on the investigation, Semafor reported that Kubasik was removed after an independent probe found he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an employee.

Kubasik helped lead the 2019 merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corp., which created L3Harris Technologies. He later became CEO and chairman as the company expanded across defense electronics, communications, space systems, propulsion, and other military markets.

L3Harris has also played a prominent role in several recent US defense programs. The company completed the modification of a Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar for use in the presidential airlift fleet and has been expanding solid-rocket-motor production through its Aerojet Rocketdyne business.

Despite Kubasik's departure, L3Harris reaffirmed its previously issued 2026 financial guidance and said its operational and strategic priorities remain unchanged.

## Leadership Changes at L3Harris

L3Harris has undergone significant leadership changes with the removal of Kubasik and the appointment of Mehta as his replacement.

## L3Harris' Continued Commitment to Defense Programs

L3Harris has reaffirmed its commitment to its defense programs and has stated that its operational and strategic priorities remain unchanged despite the leadership change.

## Kubasik's Departure and Previous Conduct Investigations

Kubasik's departure marks the second time he has lost a top aerospace and defense job following a conduct investigation. His previous departure from Lockheed Martin in 2012 was also due to a conduct investigation.

| Position | Before | After | | --- | --- | --- | | Chairman and CEO | Christopher Kubasik | Sam Mehta | | Chairman | Christopher Kubasik | Lewis Hay III |