LONDON, September 23 /PRNewswire/ --

At the 2008 SMM maritime technology exhibition this month, Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Sperry Marine business unit will unveil the newest enhancement to its VisionMaster FT(TM) lineup of marine navigation systems -- a widescreen high-resolution display with 25 percent more viewing area.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://media.primezone.com/noc/

Sperry Marine's WideView(TM) display console is designed to improve situational awareness for bridge watch officers by providing additional information alongside the radar or electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) picture. The iWindow display on the left-hand side of the display is user configurable to show split-screen and window inset views of conning information, closed-circuit TV images and other operational modes.

A unique feature being introduced for the first time in the WideView product is the iView3D display, which shows underwater topography matched to the electronic chart. This will augment the two-dimensional chart display by providing the watch officer a three-dimensional graphic picture of underwater hazards to navigation.

The WideView display console is available with all Sperry Marine VisionMaster FT products, including standalone radar, chart radar, ECDIS and TotalWatch multi-function workstations. VisionMaster FT is the first of a new generation of marine navigation systems, synthesizing multiple functions, such as radar and electronic charting, into a highly integrated navigation network sharing a common database.

"WideView is part of our continuous improvement program for the VisionMaster FT product line," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Sperry Marine. "The open-architecture Ethernet-based design for VisionMaster FT allows for practically infinite upgradeability to add new functions and features."

"In 2009 we intend to introduce new value-added solutions that will leverage the power of the VisionMaster FT network with intelligent communications and higher-bandwidth satellite connectivity to integrate shipboard navigation with shoreside business management," said DaCunha.

Sperry Marine, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

For commercial sales inquiries, contact Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine by phone, +1-434-974-2656 or by e-mail, sales_commercial@sperry.ngc.com. For military sales inquiries, call +1-434-974-2134 or e-mail sales_military@sperry.ngc.com. Visit our Web site at http://www.sperrymarine.northropgrumman.com.

Web site: http://www.northropgrumman.co.uk

Ken Beedle, mobile, +44-7787-174092, or +44-207-747-1910, ken.beedle@euro.ngc.com, or Tom Delaney, +1-410-993-6454, thomas.delaney@ngc.com, both of Northrop Grumman Corporation