Gyrocompass navigation systems for Canadian coastal defense vessels are to be designed and supplied by Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, the company announced.

The award, a sub-contract from SNC-Lavalin Defense Programs Inc., is for a dozen systems for Royal Canadian Navy Kingston-class vessels and extends through 2017.

The systems to be supplied include Dual NAVIGAT X MK1 gyrocompass systems, NAVITWIN IV Heading Management Systems and a complete suite of Heading Repeaters.

The sub-contract also provides for system design and configuration, factory acceptance testing, commissioning, harbor acceptance testing, site acceptance testing and familiarization training.

"Northrop Grumman's advanced gyrocompass systems will modernize the navigation capabilities of these Royal Canadian Navy coastal defense vessels, ensuring fleet readiness," said Jeanne Usher, managing director, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine.

Twelve vessels are to receive the system, six ported in British Columbia and six in Nova Scotia.

Kingston-class vessels are more than 180 feet long, with a speed of 15 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.