Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Sperry Marine business unit today announced a partnership agreement with Thrane & Thrane AS under which Sperry Marine will market the Capsat Fleet 77 Broadband Satellite Communications System, designed to support the increasing demand for higher-speed data connections between ship and shore.

Fleet 77 provides a constant two-way link to Inmarsat satellites, taking advantage of new-generation packet data switching technology enabling the ship's crew to integrate the vessel with onshore management systems via Internet-based systems from shipboard PC workstations, using standard software for e-mail and file transfer.

Under the agreement with Thrane & Thrane, Sperry Marine will offer a broadband satcom terminal as part of its extensive suite of integrated navigation, communications and ship control systems.

Thrane & Thrane was the first company to introduce a shipboard terminal for Fleet 77. The Capsat Fleet 77 product has been thoroughly tested in the extensive Inmarsat maritime field evaluation in all ocean regions, where the systems were exposed to tropical heat and North Atlantic winter storms. Since the Inmarsat type approval in March 2002, more than 250 Capsat Fleet 77 terminals have been delivered for installation on bulk carriers, tankers, navy and coast guard ships, fishing vessels and luxury yachts.

Thrane & Thrane is one of the world's leading manufacturers of terminals and land earth stations for global mobile satellite communication. Since its incorporation in 1981, the company has established a strong position within global mobile satellite services based on the Inmarsat system, and today it provides equipment for land-based, maritime and aeronautical use. The company is listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. Information about Thrane & Thrane can be found at www.tt.dk.

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 systems including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, airspace management systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.