Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Sperry Marine business unit has received an order from Jinling Shipyard, Nanjing, to supply navigation and communication systems for a new roll-on, roll-off vessel being built for a joint venture of French shipowner Louis-Dreyfus Armateurs and Norwegian shipowner Leif Hoegh.

Sperry Marine will supply a full integrated bridge system including electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), dual interswitched BridgeMaster E radars, dual fiber-optic gyrocompasses, autopilot, dual-axis Doppler speed log, echosounder, DGPS receivers and GMDSS A3 communication station. All consoles will have high-resolution flat-panel display screens. Sperry Marine will also provide support for system integration, installation, commissioning, sea trials and operator training.

The initial order is for one new ship, with options for three more. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in 2004.

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 and commercial 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 government systems.