Sperry Marine, a unit of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), has introduced the marine industry's first network-based ship steering and heading control system with self-tuning autopilot technology.

The new SteerMaster control system simplifies installation on all types of ships to all classification society requirements, while providing for easy future expansion and upgrades in the field. The system's unique network architecture provides 20 percent to 25 percent cost savings in cabling and installation compared with traditional steering systems with point-to-point wiring.

The heart of the system is the Navinet 4000 network, which is based on industrial Controller Area Network (CAN) technology. It is one of the first marine electronic systems to implement the new U.S. National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 2000 data communications standard. NMEA 2000 is a bi-directional multitransmitter, multi-receiver serial data network interface that permits multiple devices to share data over a single signaling channel. It was released by the NMEA in 2001.

The network is built around a multi-purpose steering control interface unit, which provides simple rail-mounted plug connections to all units on the Navinet 4000 bus, as well as interfaces with the steering gear. The sophisticated software architecture allows simultaneous control and switchover of multiple steering units on the network.

The SteerMaster control system comprises two major components: the Naviguide 4000 manual steering system and the Navipilot 4000 heading control system, with adaptive self-tuning autopilot.

Naviguide 4000 is a flexible, modular system that provides all system components for follow-up (FU) and non-follow-up (NFU) steering for single or dual rudders. The basic system – steering mode selector, NFU tiller, FU hand wheel and steering alarm display – can be expanded by linking other components to the Navinet 4000 network. When used with Sperry Marine's SynchroHelm technology, the Navinet 4000 synchronizes all FU handwheels on the main bridge and bridge wings automatically.

Navipilot 4000 is a fully adaptive, self-tuning autopilot system that makes real-time adjustments for loading dynamics and weather conditions. The system's software performs dynamic tuning of the autopilot during a modest series of initial maneuvers, then automatically continues to refine the tuning throughout the voyage in response to the ship's behavior. The system provides manual selection of steering strategies to suit weather and loading conditions. The auto self-tuning capability provides fewer and smaller rudder movements for reduced fuel consumption and less wear and tear on the steering machinery. The flexible CAN-based design provides for easy interface with a broad range of steering gears, and the simplified display and control panel reduces training time.

The Naviguide 4000 and Navipilot 4000 can be sold separately or as part of a fully integrated SteerMaster 4000 steering control system. They will be offered as part of Sperry Marine's integrated bridge systems for newbuildings and retrofits.

Sperry Marine, with worldwide headquarters in Charlottesville, Va., is part of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. The business unit provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry under the Sperry Marine, Decca and C. Plath brand names, 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 electronics and systems including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, air traffic control systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.