Harris may be hungry for more M&A after Exelis deal closes

The acquisition of Exelis Inc. could be just one major step in a broader M&A strategy by Harris Corp. to compete more directly with the upper echelon of Pentagon companies.

That’s according to a new report from Moody’s Investors Service, which says the Melbourne, Florida-based Harris (NYSE: HRS) is likely to make more buys after the Exelis (NYSE: XLS) acquisition closes, likely in June.

Moody’s says the planned acquisition of Exelis— as well as prior deals for CapRock Communications and Schlumberger’s…