As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...
Canadian Destroyer undergoes first trials with Northrop Grumman inertial-navigation and data-distribution system
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., 28 Oct. 2008. A Canadian Navy destroyer just completed the first sea trials with a new-generation inertial-navigation system (INS) and data-distribution network supplied by Northrop Grumman Corp.
The Iroquois-class destroyer, HMCS Athabaskan, is the first naval ship to go to sea with the MK49 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 MK49 RLGN provides 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, says a representative.
"The RLGN-NavDDS combination represents a major advancement in the state-of-the art integrated navigation technology on modern warships," says 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 MK49 and NavDDS systems for the Canadian Navy.
"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," continues DaCunha. "The recently completed ship trials are an important milestone in this program, opening the door to rapid deployment of this breakthrough technology across the remaining Canadian Navy surface and submarine platforms."
The 129.9-meter (426-foot) helicopter-equipped ship is a multi-mission platform with advanced anti-submarine, area air defence and command and control capabilities.
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