Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected to supply the bridge navigation and communication systems for a new SeaFrance high-performance vehicle-passenger ferry, which is being built at Alstom’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France.

The new ferry, to be christened SeaFrance Berlioz, in honor of the famous French composer, is scheduled to enter service in February 2005.

The ship will be fitted with a multi-console Voyage Management System from Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine business unit. System components will include a type-approved electronic chart display and information system, interswitched BridgeMaster E navigation radars, a networked self-tuning adaptive autopilot and main steering system, voyage data recorder, automatic identification system, gyrocompasses and other navigation sensors and systems.

The bridge installation will include multiple navigation and control consoles utilizing the latest high-resolution flat-screen LCD technology. Also included is a communications suite complying with the international requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Sperry Marine will work closely with the owner and shipyard to provide technical support, program management, installation, commissioning and crew training.

The bridge installation for SeaFrance Berlioz will be similar to the system previously supplied by Sperry Marine for the sister ship, SeaFrance Rodin, which was launched in November 2001.

At 185 meters long, 28 meters wide and 32,000 gross tons, the SeaFrance Berlioz will be able to carry up to 1,900 passengers, 120 trucks and 700 cars. With a service speed of 25 knots, the ship will be one of the fastest on the Dover-Calais route.

Sperry Marine, with worldwide headquarters in Charlottesville, Va., and major engineering centers in New Malden, England, and Hamburg, Germany, is part of Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems sector. Sperry Marine provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries, and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense and commercial electronic systems including airborne radar, navigation systems, electronic countermeasures, precision weapons, airspace management systems, communications systems, space systems, marine and naval systems, government systems and logistics services.

For commercial sales inquiries contact Sperry Marine by phone, +1 434 974 2656 or by e-mail, sales_commercial@sperry-marine.com. For military sales inquiries contact Sperry Marine by phone, +1 434 974 2134 or by e-mail, sales_military@sperry-marine.com. More information may be found on the Sperry Marine website at www.sperry-marine.com.