CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Litton Marine Systems has introduced a new Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) software package for the international maritime industry.

The new ChartMaster ECDIS software, in kit form, is based on the company's proven Voyage Management System (VMS) software, and has been designed for easy installation on a wide range of hardware platforms.

The "dual-fuel" system contains a Universal Chart Manager module that can read official Hydrographic Office electronic charts in either raster or vector format, including S-57 Version 3 (DX-90) ENC data.

The ChartMaster ECDIS offers a simplified interface to the ship's primary sensors, including radars, gyrocompasses, GPS/DGPS receivers and speed log, providing an integrated solution for real-time navigation and piloting.

The VMS software is very easy to use, with intuitive on-screen menus and pop-up window displays. At a glance, the watch officer can see the ship's position and movement in real time on a full-color nautical chart, along with targets from the ship's ARPA radar. Routes can be entered and modified in seconds using on-screen point-and-click procedures. A navigation equipment display page provides a graphical display of conning information. Key voyage information can be recorded for playback on demand.

The ChartMaster ECDIS software runs in a Windows NT environment, and can be easily installed without any special training on the user's PC.

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.