Destroyer units finished ahead of schedule

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman has completed assembly of Engineering Control System Units for the U.S. Navy's DDG 1000 Zumwalt class destroyers program ahead of schedule.

The ECS distributed control units and remote terminal units takes in all of the destroyer's hull, mechanical and electrical signals, which come from a variety of systems such as the fire detection systems and the integrated power plant.

The RTU distributes the signals to the DCU for analysis and control.

Northrop said it produced and assembled two ship sets of 16 DCUs and 180 RTUs each, for a total of 392 units six months ahead of schedule. The systems were delivered to prime contractor Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, which is the Navy's systems integrator for the program

"These Engineering Control System units will reduce the onboard manpower required, which serves one of the Navy's key Zumwalt-class goals," said William B. Hannon, vice president of Northrop Grumman Maritime Systems. "By collecting and distributing thousands of electronic signals, the ECS will monitor and control perhaps the most comprehensive automation system in the Navy fleet.

"This extensive automation will save the Navy money, not only through reduced manpower but also through lower life-cycle costs."