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Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Sperry Marine business unit is the first manufacturer to enter a cooperation agreement with Safebridge™ to provide online training for users of Sperry Marine's advanced VisionMaster FT™ ship navigation technology.

Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=9467

Safebridge™ software programs allow students to complete online training specific to the navigation products installed on the ships they sail. Users can log on to the Safebridge™ server via the Internet to access a range of e-learning modes, a guided tutorial on the live system, self testing with feedback and free play of the live system. Upon successful completion of the course assessment, students receive a certificate of competence.

"As the new International Maritime Organization Electronic Chart Display and Information System carriage requirements are phased in, e-learning is a cost-effective training solution for ship owners, maritime academies, crew agencies and individuals," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "The software allows students to train on all watch modes of Sperry Marine's VisionMaster FT system, most notably the Electronic Chart Display and Information System. Users are taken step by step through a number of modules as if they were using the actual technology, and are shown how to use each feature in various simulated scenarios."

"We are very happy to have made this important agreement with Sperry Marine," said Ulf Steden, managing director of Safebridge™. "The unique online simulation platform we have created at Safebridge utilizes a sophisticated learning management system that enables the seafarer to access hands-on training from anywhere with Internet access, at any time. It is an exciting, engaging and practical way of training that easily fits the lifestyle of the seafarer and saves the time and expense of arranging familiarization training at a fixed date and location. With access to the Sperry Marine VisionMaster FT systems, we are delighted to be able to offer type-specific simulation training to prepare officers for the bridge in time to meet the new International Maritime Organization requirements."

Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, Safebridge™ is an innovative online training company specializing in type-specific simulation training solutions for the maritime industry, created to provide the solution to the urgent demand for Electronic Chart Display and Information System training in new STCW 2010 (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping) and ISM Code (International Safety Management) requirements.

Sperry Marine is a business unit of Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems Division. Headquartered in Charlottesville with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, Northrop Grumman 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.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 75,000 employees provide innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Jim Rhodes
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com

Tom Delaney
+1 (410) 993-6454
thomas.delaney@ngc.com

  Safebridge screenshot showing Sperry Marine VisionMaster FT(TM) ECDIS.
 

  Sperry Marine bridge installed on a Stena Hollandica superferry.