HII Expands Capacity with 40 Ships Under Construction and 23 Partner Yards
HII said it has 40 ships under active construction or modernization at Ingalls and Newport News and has partnered with 23 additional yards and international manufacturers to expand shipbuilding capacity. It also modified shipbuilder shifts to a 56-hour work week in 2025, boosting throughput through increased hiring, retention and proficiency.
1. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s Newport News Shipyard Tour
On January 5, 2026, HII welcomed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to its Newport News Shipbuilding division as part of his “Arsenal of Freedom” industry tour. During the visit, Hegseth engaged directly with shipbuilders and sailors across multiple workstations, emphasizing the connection between each wrench turned on the production line and the survival of a 22-year-old American sailor at sea. Hegseth lauded the shipyard’s commitment to quality, speed and patriotism, asserting that every improvement in the yard’s processes translates into decisive capability for the U.S. Navy.
2. Measurable Increases in Hiring, Retention and Throughput
HII CEO and President Chris Kastner underscored that over the past year the company has implemented targeted initiatives—expanding recruitment campaigns, enhancing retention programs and upskilling existing talent—to drive a measurable rise in shipbuilding throughput. As a result, HII reports a 15% increase in module completion rates across both Ingalls Shipbuilding and Newport News Shipbuilding compared with 2024. With over 40 vessels in active construction or modernization, the company aims to reduce average build schedules by 10 days per module in 2026, directly shortening delivery timelines for critical naval assets.
3. Serial-Module Production and Advanced Technology Integration
During his tour, Secretary Hegseth inspected the shipyard’s state-of-the-art serial-module production lines for Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines, observing sections in early fabrication, final assembly and testing. He also toured the John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) aircraft carrier in its final outfitting phase, which upon delivery will be the world’s most lethal carrier. HII has invested over $120 million in digital design tools, automated welding systems and robotic inspection stations to standardize quality and accelerate workflows across these programs.
4. Distributed Shipbuilding and Workforce Expansion
To support rising demand, HII launched a distributed shipbuilding initiative in 2025, partnering with 23 regional shipyards and fabricators outside its traditional labor markets. The company is also evaluating the establishment of an additional U.S. shipyard through joint ventures with international manufacturers. At year-end 2025, Newport News Shipbuilding adopted a 56-hour standard work week and increased weekend shifts, helping the division finish the year with a 12% boost in labor hours. With 44,000 employees, HII remains the largest industrial employer in Virginia and Mississippi, and the leading producer of unmanned underwater vehicles for the U.S. Navy.