Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Sperry Marine business unit has received the BAE Systems Bronze Chairman’s Award for Innovation in recognition of pioneering work performed on the network data system for the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer program. Sperry Marine’s team played a critical role in developing a data communications network for the Royal Navy’s next-generation destroyer. The network control system links the ship’s electronic engine control system, electrical power management system and platform management system, ensuring uninterrupted flow of vital data among the three critical elements. Sperry Marine is supplying the platform management system for the Type 45 destroyers under contract from BAE Systems.