CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Litton Marine Systems (LMS), a Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) company, has received type approval for its Decca BridgeMaster E 180 and 250 flat-screen marine radars.

The type approval, granted by the U.K. Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, signifies that the flat-screen radars meet the stringent International Electrotechnical Commission specifications for performance and environmental requirements.

The approval covers the 15-inch BridgeMaster E 180 and 18- and 20-inch BridgeMaster E 250 models, and includes as an option the company's breakthrough "Vision" technology for automatic clutter suppression.

The new series of 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 display modules are just four inches (10 cm) thick. The active-matrix high-resolution liquid crystal display provides wide viewing angles and a bright, clear picture in direct sunshine. The screen may be dimmed to avoid glare for nighttime operation.

Litton Marine Systems, a unit of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector (ES3), provides smart navigation solutions for the marine industry worldwide. LMS manufactures and markets products under the Sperry Marine, Decca and C. Plath brand names. LMS provides customer service and support through offices in 19 countries and authorized service depots in more than 300 locations worldwide.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., Northrop Grumman ES3 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.