Northrop Grumman to support Canadian navigation systems

Northrop Grumman will provide in-service support for the MK-49 inertial navigation systems and navigation data distribution systems fielded aboard surface ships and submarines of the Royal Canadian Navy under a new contract announced on 26 November. The contract, issued by Public Works Government Services Canada, is valued at $12.1 million.

Northrop Grumman was selected by Canada's Department of National Defence (DND) for the contract - the fourth in-service support contract the company has received from the DND since 2001. The company previously designed and delivered the MK-39 inertial navigation system, the SRD 331 Speed Log and related software to Canada.

The MK-49 inertial navigation system is based on Northrop Grumman's ring-laser gyro technology, and is designed to provide accurate position, attitude, velocity and heading inputs to the ships' navigation and fire-control systems to help ensure stabilised weapons initialisation under all sea conditions. The navigation data distribution system integrates data inputs and outputs provided by the MK-49 INS and other navigation sensors.

The contract includes material spares and software maintenance for the next five years. According to the company, the in-service support work will be for systems installed on 12 Halifax-class frigates, three Iroquois-class destroyers, four Victoria-class submarines and two Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, in addition to three land-based systems.

Bill Hannon, vice president of Maritime Systems at Northrop Grumman, said: ‘This contract continues our 11-year record of reliable in-service support for the Royal Canadian Navy. By continually expanding the scope with each contract, we have helped reduce the DND's need to maintain spares and support services.’