Sperry Marine to Supply IBS for Destroyers

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Sperry Marine business unit has been awarded a contract to supply integrated bridge systems (IBS) for the next eight U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke (DDG 51)-class destroyers. The automated navigation systems, based on Sperry Marine's Voyage Management System software, will improve situational awareness for bridge watchstanders, permitting the officer on deck and navigation team to view, at a glance, the real-time location and movement of the ship superimposed on a high-resolution electronic chart display. The contract is valued at $7.9 million. The IBS contracts for DDG 94 through DDG 101 were awarded to Sperry Marine by Bath Iron Works (BIW), lead shipyard for the DDG 51-class Aegis destroyers. The ships are being built at BIW and Northrop Grumman's Ingalls Operations. The first ship to receive the IBS installation will be the Nitze (DDG 94), scheduled to be commissioned in 2005. The IBS networks the ship's systems and sensors into a single interface, providing a high level of reliability and redundancy of critical equipment thereby minimizing the ship's operating costs while its modular structure easily expands to meet future requirements. The system includes primary navigation sensors, radars, electronic chart display and information systems , gyrocompasses, autopilots, ship control systems and other navigation systems, all running under Sperry Marine's proprietary Voyage Management System software.