A Canadian navy destroyer has completed the first successful sea trials with a new-generation inertial navigation system (INS) and data distribution network supplied by Northrop Grumman.

 

The ‘HMCS Athabaskan’ is the first naval ship to go to sea with the MK 49 ring-laser gyro navigator (RLGN) INS and Navigation Data Distribution System (NavDDS).

 

The systems were developed by Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine business unit.

 

The Sperry Marine MK 49 RLGN provides highly precise real-time 3D position, heading, speed and attitude reference data for the ship’s navigation and combat systems.

 

The NavDDS is designed to provide a network backbone integrating INS data seamlessly with other sensors and systems throughout the ship.

 

“The RLGN-NavDDS combination represents a major advancement in the state-of-the-art integrated navigation technology on modern warships,” said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Sperry Marine.

 

“The successful sea trials aboard ‘HMCS Athabaskan’ provided a clear demonstration of the mission-enhancing capabilities of the MK 49 and NavDDS systems for the Canadian navy,” he said

 

“Sperry Marine is under contract with the Canadian navy to supply RLGN and NavDDS systems for 12 Halifax-class frigates, three Iroquois-class destroyers and four Victoria-class submarines,” said DaCunha.