Sperry Marine announced that their Decca BridgeMaster E 340 is the first flat-screen radar to be type approved to meet the international carriage requirements for automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA). The flat-screen radars provide significant savings in space and weight over traditional CRT displays. This is especially important for high-speed craft, in which size and weight are significant constraints. The flat-screen BridgeMaster E 340 display has a full 340-cm radar circle as required for ARPA type approval.

The active-matrix high-resolution LCD provides wide viewing angles and a bright, clear picture in direct sunshine. The screen may be dimmed to avoid glare for night-time operation. The 340 radars are available in desktop and deck-standing models, and a kit version is also available, permitting the electronics to be remotely mounted in a separate cabinet. The type approval certificate, awarded by QinetiQ (formerly DERA) in July 2002, was the result of an extensive testing program, and certifies the flat-screen radar meets the stringent International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifications for performance and environmental requirements.

The approval of the Decca BridgeMaster 340, in addition to the company's BridgeMaster E 180 and 250 models, means that Sperry Marine can now offer a full range of flat-screen radars for many applications.