Northrop Grumman donates software to U.S. Naval Academy

AUGUST 7, 2013 — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) recently donated $3 million worth of training software to the U.S. Naval Academy, continuing the company’s commitment to the educational development of future Navy officers.

Cdr. Doyle Hodges (left), previous chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Seamanship and Navigation Department, and Jeffrey L. Holloway (center), Charlottesville site director for Northrop Grumman Maritime Systems, present the Elmer A. Sperry Junior Navigator of the Year Award to Midshipman First Class Tyler Ledoux.

The company donated 100 licenses of its Voyage Management System (VMS) software to the U. S. Naval Academy Foundation for midshipmen training use at the Naval Academy.

The company also presented the Elmer A. Sperry Junior Navigator of the Year Award to Midshipman First Class Tyler Ledoux. The award recognizes a member of the 2013 graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding navigating skills and knowledge during their four years at the academy.

“Northrop Grumman is honored to contribute to the development of tomorrow’s naval officers,” said Teri Marconi, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s Navigation and Maritime Systems Division. “Through our longtime partnership with the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation and the academy itself, it is our pleasure and privilege to support our future warfighters.”

The VMS software incorporates the Electronic Chart Display and Information System-Navy (ECDIS-N) which was selected by the navigator of the Navy and is now a fleet standard. The donation will enable future naval officers to become proficient with the same navigation software on their vessels after they receive their commissions. This software is already installed or under contract for installation on more than 200 U.S. Navy ships and submarines.

Both the VMS software donations and the Elmer A. Sperry Award are naval support traditions at Northrop Grumman. This is the fourth year the company has sponsored the Elmer A. Sperry Award. The company first donated VMS software in 2001 and this year’s gift brings the total amount of donated software to more than $16 million.

The Elmer A. Sperry Junior Navigator of the Year Award was established by the company to honor Elmer A. Sperry, founder of Sperry Marine (now part of Northrop Grumman) in 1910. Sperry invented the first marine gyrocompass in 1908 and earned more than 350 patents during his career in the maritime industry. Midshipman Ledoux received the award at graduation earlier this summer.

The VMS software will be used by midshipmen in the academy’s computer lab, classrooms and underway operations on the yard patrol training craft. This will allow them to learn relevant navigational skills that will enhance their situational awareness while standing watch on the bridge and improve overall safety at sea.