Harris to buy Exelis in $4.75 billion deal

Florida-based defense contractor Harris Corp. is acquiring Exelis Inc. in McLean for $4.75 billion, the companies announced Friday.

Combined, the two giants will be among the largest companies in the federal market, with more than $8 billion in revenue and about 23,000 employees globally, including 9,000 engineers and scientists.

The deal, expected to close in June, is a cash and stock transaction valued at $23.75 per share, with Exelis shareholders receiving $16.625 in cash and 0.1025 of a share…