Chris Kubasik has stepped down as chairman and CEO of L3Harris Technologies following a board investigation into conduct the company determined was inconsistent with its Code of Conduct, the defense contractor announced August 17, 2026.
Sam Mehta, who led the company’s largest business segments, was appointed President and CEO effective immediately. Lewis Hay III, the company’s former Lead Independent Director, was named Independent Chairman of the Board.
Kubasik, who has more than 30 years of aerospace and defense industry experience, became L3Harris CEO in June 2021 following the company’s 2019 merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation. Under his leadership, the company reorganized from four business segments to three in January 2026. In his separation agreement dated August 16, 2026, Kubasik will not receive severance payments, severance benefits, or accelerated vesting of unvested equity awards, though he may retain and exercise previously vested stock options.
The board’s investigation, conducted with assistance from independent counsel, determined that Kubasik’s conduct was unrelated to the company’s financial reporting, controls, customer relationships, or operational performance. L3Harris reaffirmed its 2026 consolidated revenue, organic growth, segment operating margin, GAAP earnings per share, and free cash flow guidance following the transition.
Mehta, 53, joined L3Harris in January 2023 and brings more than 25 years of strategic and operational leadership experience in aerospace and defense. As President of the Space & Mission Systems and Communications & Spectrum Dominance segments, he oversaw the company’s largest business units, which together comprise approximately 80 percent of total revenue. Before L3Harris, Mehta spent more than 17 years at Sikorsky Aircraft and served as President of Advanced Structures at Collins Aerospace, a business unit of RTX Corporation.
In connection with Mehta’s promotion, Lauren Barnes was appointed President of Space & Mission Systems and Christopher Aebli was appointed President of Communications & Spectrum Dominance. Mehta will receive an annual base salary of $1,250,000, a target annual cash bonus of 200 percent of base salary, and a long-term incentive target of $13,250,000, each prorated for fiscal 2026.
Lewis Hay III has served on L3Harris and its predecessor boards since 2002. He previously held senior leadership roles at NextEra Energy, including Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman. The transition underscores L3Harris’ focus on succession planning and cultivating internal talent within its defense technology operations.
Sources
- L3Harris Technologies Press Release — official announcement of leadership changes, Kubasik’s departure, Mehta’s appointment, and financial guidance reaffirmation
- StockTitan SEC Filing Summary — details of separation agreement, conduct investigation findings, compensation terms, and segment revenue composition
- Reuters — confirmation of Kubasik’s previous appointment as CEO in June 2021 and his role in the L3-Harris merger transition
