LHXIndustrialsAerospace & Defense·Sep 3, 2026·5 min read

[LHX] L3Harris Technologies Thesis 2026: Missile Spinoff Planned, Defense Guidance Raised

L3Harris FY25 (Jan 3, 2026 FYE) at $21.87B revenue (+3%). NI $1.61B; EPS $8.53 (+8%). Reorganized into 3 segments. Missile Solutions IPO planned 2026. Record order book exit FY25. Total debt cut $2.5B to $10.44B. FY26 guide: $23-$23.5B revenue (+7% organic), GAAP EPS $11.30-$11.50, segment OI margin low 16%, FCF $3B.

L3Harris 2025-26: $23.5B FY26 Guide, Missile Spin-Off Planned

FY25 (Jan 2026 FYE) revenue $21.87B (+3%); Op income $2.20B (+7%); NI $1.61B (+7%); EPS $8.53 (+8%). Reorganized into 3 segments. Missile Solutions IPO planned for 2026. Record order book exit FY25. FY26 guide: revenue $23-$23.5B (+7% organic at midpoint), GAAP EPS $11.30-$11.50, segment OI margin low 16%, FCF $3B.

Key takeaways

  • Major portfolio simplification announced. Reorganized into three segments (CSD, IMS, SAS) with intent to IPO Missile Solutions business in 2026. Strategic refocus on highest-growth defense priorities (cyber, space, intelligence systems).
  • Record order book exit FY25. Reflects multi-year defense priorities — space systems + cyber/EW + missile programs all booking at elevated levels. NDAA + classified programs + foreign military sales all contributing.
  • FY26 guide: $23-$23.5B revenue (+7% organic at midpoint). Strong forward visibility from backlog; segment OI margin in low 16%s — modest expansion. Diluted EPS $11.30-$11.50.
  • FCF $3B FY26 guide. Step up from $2.68B FY25. Reflects working capital optimization + discipline.
  • Missile Solutions IPO is the FY26 strategic event. Carve-out of the missile + ordnance business — could unlock value via separate public listing.

Business

L3Harris Technologies is a top-tier US defense + intelligence + space prime contractor. Reorganized into three segments in FY25:

  • Communications + Spectrum Dominance (CSD) (~26% of revenue): Tactical radio + satellite communications + electronic warfare + spectrum + integrated communication systems. FY25 revenue $5.7B; margin 25.2%. The high-margin segment.
  • Intelligence + Mission Systems (IMS) (~30% of revenue): Surveillance + intelligence + counter-UAS + mission systems integration. FY25 revenue $6.6B with 8% organic growth; margin 12.2%. The growth segment.
  • Space + Airborne Systems (SAS) (~31% of revenue): Space exploration + space launch + airborne ISR + classified programs. FY25 revenue $6.9B; margin (lower).
  • Missile Solutions (~13% of revenue, planned spin-off 2026): Missile + ordnance.

Strategic position: leading provider of tactical communications + space-based defense + intelligence systems for DoD + IC + foreign military sales. Reorganization aligns segments with how customer demand is evolving (multi-domain warfare + cyber + space).

FY25 financial performance (Jan 2026 FYE)

Metric (FY)FY23FY24FY25
Revenue ($B)19.4221.3321.87
Gross profit ($B)4.434.755.63
Op income ($B)2.032.062.20
Op margin10.4%9.7%10.0%
EBITDA ($B)2.933.563.75
Net income ($B)1.231.501.61
Diluted EPS ($)6.447.878.53
FCF ($B)1.652.152.68
Capex ($M)-449-408-424
Total debt ($B)13.9512.9810.44
Dividends ($M)-868-886-903
Buyback ($M)-518-554-1,154

The earnings print: Revenue +3%, EPS +8% on operating leverage + buyback compounding. FCF +25% to $2.68B — strong cash conversion. Total debt down to $10.44B (-$2.5B YoY) — meaningful paydown.

Capital allocation

  • Capex: $-424M FY25 (1.9% of revenue). Light. Capital-efficient defense services + tech.
  • Dividends: $-903M FY25 (+2% YoY).
  • Buybacks: $-1.15B FY25 (vs $-554M FY24). Material acceleration.
  • M&A / Spin: Missile Solutions IPO planned 2026 — major strategic event.
  • Debt management: $10.44B (-$2.54B YoY). Significant deleveraging.

FY26 outlook (per Q4 FY25 call, 2026-01-29)

FY26 guideRange
Revenue$23.0B-$23.5B (+7% organic midpoint)
Segment operating marginLow 16% range
FCF$3B
GAAP diluted EPS$11.30-$11.50
SMS revenue$11.5B (post-reorg)
CSD revenue(per detail in call)

The +7% organic growth reflects backlog conversion + classified programs + foreign military sales + missile production tempo. EPS $11.30-$11.50 implies +33-35% growth — operating leverage + buyback + tax benefit + lower interest.

Key risks

  • Defense budget: ~75% of revenue is DoD-funded. Sequester or budget caps would compress.
  • Program execution: Multi-year contract execution risk; cost overruns hit margin.
  • Missile Solutions IPO: Carve-out timing + valuation uncertainty.
  • Concentration in classified programs: Lower visibility for outside observers.
  • Tariff regime: Limited but real impact on certain components.
  • Foreign military sales: Geopolitical / regulatory frictions affect pace.

Bottom line

LHX FY25 is the reorganization + portfolio simplification year. Revenue +3%, EPS +8%, FCF +25%, debt -$2.5B. Missile Solutions IPO planned 2026 as the strategic catalyst. FY26 guide $23-$23.5B revenue + $11.30-$11.50 EPS + $3B FCF. The thesis is multi-cycle defense priorities + AI-driven mission systems + space + classified programs + buyback compounding. Risks are budget cycle + program execution + spin-off timing.

Citations

  • L3Harris Technologies Inc. FY25 Form 10-K (filed January 2026, SEC EDGAR; January 3, 2026 fiscal year end).
  • LHX Q4 FY25 earnings call, 2026-01-29 — record order book, FY26 guide ($23-$23.5B revenue, segment OI margin low 16%, FCF $3B, GAAP EPS $11.30-$11.50, SMS $11.5B revenue), Missile Solutions IPO planned 2026.
  • Internal financial_statements view (consolidated annual + cash flow + capital structure).
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