Northrop Grumman To Provide Gyrocompass Navigation Systems For Canada's Kingston Class Vessel

A Royal Canadian Navy has selected Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit to design and supply gyrocompass navigation systems for 12 Kingston Class coastal defence vessels.

The company announced on Monday that it has been selected as a subcontractor to SNC-Lavalin Defence Programs.

The contract will include Dual NAVIGAT X MK1 gyrocompass systems, NAVITWIN IV Heading Management Systems and a complete suite of Heading Repeaters. Installation will start in June 2015 and extend through early 2017.

Six of the vessels being upgraded are based in Esquimalt, British Columbia and six are based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where the first field tests will be conducted this summer. 

Beyond the supply of equipment, the contract will also include system design and configuration, factory acceptance testing, commissioning, harbor acceptance testing, site acceptance testing as well as familiarization training, which will involve 12 trainers.

"Northrop Grumman's advanced gyrocompass systems will modernize the navigation capabilities of these Royal Canadian Navy coastal defence vessels, ensuring fleet readiness," said Jeanne Usher, managing director, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine.