Northrop Grumman to provide integrated bridge and navigation systems for U.S. Navy Burke-class destroyers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Navy shipboard electronics experts are asking Northrop Grumman Corp. to build bridge navigation systems for Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyers under terms of a $15.3 million order announced Wednesday.
Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington are asking the Northrop Grumman Mission Systems segment in Charlottesville, Va., to provide common Integrated Bridge and Navigation Systems (IBNS) for new Burke-class destroyers, as well as for upgrades to existing Burke destroyers.
These integrated bridge and navigation systems are part of the DDG-51 destroyers New Construction Ship program and DDG-51 Midlife Modernization program, Navy officials say.
The IBNS is a hull, mechanical, and electrical upgrade to modernize Burke-class destroyers to ensure the ships remain affordable and ready for combat throughout their life cycles.
Northrop Grumman military integrated bridge systems handle automated collection, processing, control, and display of ship control and navigation sensor data to help make the most of bridge watch efficiency and ship control safety.
These systems blend voyage planning and real-time bridge navigation tracking; track steering ship control; radar contact track and video overlay; interfaces to the machinery control systems; moving haven and water space management; position uncertainty fix expansion; lines of position navigation fix capability; commanding officer password protect of approved voyage plans; electronic bearing lines and variable range; chart markup; operator text overlay; operating areas; over-the-horizon areas of uncertainty; joint tactical action areas; and submarine-generated search areas.
IBNS components include the Voyage Management System (VMS), a computer based navigation, planning, and monitoring system. It meets U.S. Navy’s Electronic Chart Display and Information System - Navy (ECDIS-N) requirements, and provides tools for the ship's crew to navigate electronically.
Also part of the IBNS is the Automated Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) system that automatically acquires and tracks contacts for the ship's bridge watch team.
Related: Navy pushing bridge-combat systems integration for new surface warships
The IBNS also has the Ship Control System (SCS) that provides command and control signals to the ship control and propulsion systems and monitors their performance.
Northrop Grumman military integrated bridge systems are fielded aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, amphibious assault ships, submarines, and landing craft, as well as aboard NOAA ships, Coast Guard ice breakers, and international naval vessels.
On this order Northrop Grumman will do the work in Charlottesville, Va., and should be finished by September 2022. For more information contact Northrop Grumman online at www.northropgrumman.com, or Naval Sea Systems Command at Paste link herewww.navsea.navy.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
