Sperry Marine, a business unit of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), today announced that its Decca BridgeMaster E 340 is the first flat-screen radar to be type approved to meet the international carriage requirements for automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA).

The flat-screen radars provide significant savings in space and weight over traditional CRT displays. This is especially important for high-speed craft, in which size and weight are significant constraints.

The flat-screen BridgeMaster E 340 display has a full 340-cm radar circle as required for ARPA type approval. The active-matrix high-resolution LCD provides wide viewing angles and a bright, clear picture in direct sunshine. The screen may be dimmed to avoid glare for nighttime operation. The 340 radars are available in desktop and deck-standing models, and a kit version is also available, permitting the electronics to be remotely mounted in a separate cabinet.

The type approval certificate, awarded by QinetiQ (formerly DERA) on July 5, 2002, was the result of an extensive testing program, and certifies the flat-screen radar meets the stringent International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifications for performance and environmental requirements.

Sperry Marine has been a pioneer in introducing flat-screen technology for marine radars. The approval of the Decca BridgeMaster 340, in addition to the company's BridgeMaster E 180 and 250 models, means that Sperry Marine can now offer a full range of flat-screen radars for all applications.

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.