The USS Constitution, the warship commonly known as Old Ironsides, is being fitted with a new digital navigation system ahead of nine America 250 commemorative events, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The vessel has spent more than two centuries at sea, relying over that span on stars, open water, and paper charts to find its way. The U.S. Department of Defense said the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division is providing the digital navigation upgrade.
The ship is scheduled to take part in nine America 250 events, the Department of Defense reported. Old Ironsides, which has guided itself by traditional means across more than 200 years of service, will carry the new system into each of those appearances.