Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, September 19, 2014

Northrop Grumman develops winterization field upgrade kit for vessels

Northrop Grumman Corporation says it has developed a winterization field upgrade kit to extend the low temperature capability of navigation equipment to enable ships to operate on the Arctic shipping routes.

The heater kits will enable Marine Navigation Radar Turning Units to be operated in temperatures down below -55 degrees Celsius, in addition to keeping the S-Band and X-Band sensors in the turning units free from ice, the statement said. Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine designed them to be attached in the field at or after installation, and said they are compatible with all VisionMaster FT radar sensors.

"Ships operating in the Arctic environments are exposed to a number of unique risks and we recognize the need to ensure that our equipment is capable of functioning effectively under the challenges of polar operations," said Jeanne Usher, managing director, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "The winterization field upgrade kit will allow our VMFT radar sensors to function in these extreme climates and supports our efforts to continually improve the safety of marine navigation."

Northrup Grumman reports the winterization field upgrade kit is approved by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and allows the operator to extend the working temperature of any unit. With the opening of the Northern Sea Route, products will need to meet Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements, which specifies that at least one radar be equipped with ice detection capability, the statement said.

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