Ship Navigation Software News

Naval Reserve Officer Training Candidate (NROTC) students at college campuses in San Diego have become the first to use an advanced navigation training package supplied by Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Sperry Marine business unit. The computerized learning DVDs contain 16 interactive courseware (ICW) training lessons on the use and operation of Sperry Marine’s Voyage Management System (VMS) ship navigation software. They are being used in the navigation training curriculum for NROTC students at the University of San Diego and other greater San Diego college campuses. “The eLearning courseware will give the NROTC students an opportunity to become familiar with the standard electronic navigation system used throughout the U.S. Navy surface and submarine fleets.

Offshore Systems International Ltd. (OSI) announced that its systems division, has signed a multi-year agreement with Furuno Electric Company Ltd. With the agreement, the two companies will work together to produce an electronic ship navigation system which Furuno will sell and service through its world-wide dealer network. "Furuno is a marine electronics leader with great products and huge reach," said John Jacobson, President and CEO of OSI. "Offshore is strong in the military market. The new system is expected to be launched later in 2003. Furuno will distribute the system under the Furuno brand name, and OSI will receive a license fee for each system sold.