CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Litton Marine Systems and VISTAR Night Vision Ltd. have formed a strategic alliance to develop and market night vision equipment for the marine industry.

The announcement was made by the two companies at the Fast Ferry International Conference and Exhibition in Nice, France, February 9, 2000.

Under the terms of the agreement, Litton and VISTAR will establish a Center of Excellence for marine night vision technology. The two companies will jointly develop future night vision technologies and market each other's respective products.

Dr. Clark Graham, president of Litton Marine Systems, stated: "The alliance with VISTAR will greatly enhance our ability to offer total solutions to our customers in the military and commercial marine market. This agreement is in line with our goal of being a 'One Source' provider of integrated navigation, communications, information, ship control and machinery automation systems."

Tony Ewer, managing director of VISTAR, said: "We look forward to our new relationship with Litton. The alliance between our two companies will combine VISTAR's considerable expertise in image intensified and infrared thermal imaging technologies with Litton's worldwide marketing and service organization."

VISTAR, based in Camberley, Surrey, UK, is a world leader in the development and provision of night vision systems for marine use. VISTAR has over 100 systems in service throughout the world on a variety of platforms, including fast ferries and military patrol boats. Systems are also being developed for specialized applications such as vessel traffic systems (VTS), marine surveillance, luxury yachts and professional work boats. The company is privately owned and managed.

Litton Marine Systems, Inc. (LMS) is a subsidiary of Litton Industries, Inc. LMS was formed from the consolidation of Sperry Marine (Charlottesville, Virginia, USA), Decca Marine (New Malden, UK) and C. Plath (Hamburg, Germany). LMS manufactures and markets products under the Sperry, Decca and C. Plath brand names. With offices in 19 countries and authorized service depots in more than 300 locations worldwide, LMS provides "One Source" for marine navigation, communication and information systems, products and service.

Litton Industries, headquartered in Woodland Hills, California, is a $4.4 billion diversified technology company with over 40,000 employees worldwide. The company is a leader in navigation; guidance and control; electronic warfare; command, control and communications systems; information technology and shipbuilding and overhaul for government and commercial markets worldwide. Litton's Ingalls and Avondale shipyards together make up the largest builder of non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and other customers.