HII has been named to the Pentagon’s shortlist for a potential $25 billion contract to produce next-generation Virginia-class attack submarines. The award, expected in the second half of 2026, would span a multi-year production cycle and support an annual build rate of at least two submarines. This follows HII’s record of delivering submarines on schedule and under budget, with the company having completed six new vessels for the U.S. Navy since 2020. Winning this contract would secure more than 10,000 direct manufacturing jobs at HII’s Newport News facility in Virginia and its distributed shipbuilding partners nationwide, and would generate an estimated $12 billion in domestic supplier orders over the life of the program.

On January 22, 2026, HII celebrated the first anniversary of its Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Since the January 2025 asset acquisition, the site delivered its inaugural hull section in just 40 days and has exceeded all 2025 production targets by 15%. The 480,000-square-foot facility occupies 45 acres along the Cooper River and features barge and rail access, enabling efficient module transport. HII has invested $85 million in new manufacturing equipment and training programs, growing the local workforce to over 300 skilled shipfitters and welders. The operation forms a key part of HII’s distributed shipbuilding strategy, which now encompasses 23 partner shipyards and fabricators to boost throughput and meet increased Navy demand.