Northrop Grumman Upgrades Swedish Subs

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has won a contract to upgrade the inertial navigation systems (INS) for the Swedish navy’s submarines. Under the contract, awarded by Kockums AB, Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine unit will supply five MK 39 Mod 3C ring laser gyro systems for installation on two Gotland-class and two Södermanland-class submarines, with one set to be used for spares and training. The MK 39 Mod 3C systems will replace the existing spinning mass gyrocompasses currently fitted on the submarines.

CA Clase AB, Sperry Marine’s sales and service representative in Sweden, was instrumental in securing the order. Kockums AB will perform the installations, which will be completed by 2011. The MK 39 Mod 3C is a high-performance, low-cost INS, which will provide accurate positioning and precise attitude data to the vessels’ SESUB combat management systems.

“The MK 39 Mod 3C offers a combination of advanced performance, superior shock and vibration resistance, traditional Sperry Marine reliability and very low through-life costs for the customer,” said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of International Naval Systems at Northrop Grumman’s Naval and Marine Systems Division. “The Mod 3 series is our third generation of MK 39 products, which are standard equipment on surface ships and submarines of more than 30 international navies.”