The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to provide in-service support for the navigation systems installed on the Royal Canadian Navy’s surface ships and submarine fleet.
Under the $12.1m deal awarded by Public Works Government Services Canada, Northrop will provide support services for MK-49 inertial navigation systems and navigation data distribution systems, including supply of material spares and software maintenance.
The contract has five-year period of performance and is the fourth award received since 2001 from the DND.
The systems are currently integrated on 12 Saint John Shipbuilding-built Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates and three Marine Industries and Davie Shipbuilding-developed Iroquois-class air defence destroyers.
Work will also include systems integrated onto four Victoria-class long-range diesel-electric patrol submarines, two Saint John Shipbuilding and Dry Docks-built Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, as well as three land-based systems.
Northrop Grumman Maritime Systems vice president Bill Hannon said: "By continually expanding the scope with each contract, we have helped reduce the DND’s need to maintain spares and support services."
Based on Northrop’s ring-laser gyro technology, the MK-49 inertial navigation system has been designed to provide highly accurate position, attitude, velocity and heading inputs to the ships’ navigation and fire-control systems.
The system will also ensure stabilised weapons initialisation for the vessel in all sea weather conditions.
The navigation data distribution system comprises MK-49 INS’s data inputs and outputs and other navigation sensors.
Northrop previously developed and delivered the SRD 331 Speed Log and related software to the Canadian Government, in addition to offering the MK-39 inertial navigation system.
