US Navy Christens Submarine Idaho (SSN 799)
Groton, Conn. submarine builder General Dynamics Electric Boat hosted a christening ceremony for the U.S. Navy's new Virginia-class submarine Idaho (SSN 799) March 16.Idaho is the 26th submarine in the Virginia class, designed for the full range of 21st-century mission requirements, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare and special operations support. Electric Boat and its partner Newport News Shipbuilding share construction of the Virginia class in a teaming agreement. Idaho is the 13th submarine in the class to be delivered by Electric Boat.The submarine will be the fourth U.S.
Virginia-Class Submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) Completes Initial Sea Trials
HII on Thursday announced its Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed initial sea trials for Virginia-class attack submarine New Jersey (SSN 796). New Jersey spent several days at sea to test the boatâs systems and components.Testing included submerging the submarine for the first time and conducting high-speed maneuvers while on the surface and submerged. NNS teams will continue the testing program ahead of delivering the boat to the U.S. Navy.âTaking New Jersey out for the first time is a significant milestone and the first major test of the submarineâs capabilities at seaâŚ
Virginia-class Submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) Launched
HII announced that Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) was recently launched into the James River at the companyâs Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.Shipbuilders transferred the submarine from a construction facility to the floating dry dock, where it was later submerged and moved by tugboats to a submarine pier at the shipyard for final outfitting, testing and crew certification.âFollowing the christening of this mighty submarine in May, witnessing Massachusetts launch into the river is a source of immense pride for our shipbuilding teamâŚ
Newport News Begins Topside EMALS Testing on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)
HII announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division (NNS) recently began topside testing of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) on aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).EMALS, first integrated into USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), replaces the existing steam catapults currently in use on the U.S. Navyâs Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.Following successful âno-loadâ testing on catapults one and two, known as the âbow cats,â the NNS team, alongside the John F. Kennedy crew, has now started âdead-loadâ testing.
Newport News Delivers First Columbia-class Stern
HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division announced today delivery of the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine stern to General Dynamics Electric Boat.The stern for District of Columbia (SSBN 826) was transported by barge from Newport News to Electric Boatâs facility in Quonset Point, R.I..âThis is a major milestone in the ramp-up of Columbia-class module production here at NNS,â said Brandi Smith, NNS vice president of Columbia-class submarine construction. âOur shipbuilders have worked with pride to accomplish this milestoneâŚ
Newport News Shipbuilding Opens Additional Site in Norfolk
HII announced its Newport News Shipbuilding division has begun production at an additional campus in Norfolk, Va. to support the shipyardâs continued progress toward more effective and efficient shipbuilding.The Newport News Shipbuilding Norfolk Campus is located on land leased from Fairlead in the Lambertâs Point area, at a development known as Fairwinds Landing. NNS shipbuilders have worked at the site for several months constructing steel panels that will eventually make up units of Gerald R.
Newport News Shipbuilding Continues Hiring Push
HII said its Newport News Shipbuilding division continues to make progress in the area of workforce development acceleration, and is meeting hiring demand for skilled trades positions through community outreach efforts and on-site hiring events.The shipyard recently participated in the Whatâs Next for Success Foundation career and job fair held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Hundreds of people, including local high school students, met with NNS talent acquisition representatives to learn about career opportunities at the shipyardâŚ
Horne Named VP of Trades at Newport News Shipbuilding
HII announced David Horne has been promoted to vice president of trades at its Newport News Shipbuilding division.Horneâs promotion comes following the restructuring of trades and human resources and administration from one large organization into two standalone organizations. Xavier Beale will continue as vice president of human resources and administration. Both Horne and Beale will report directly to NNS President Jennifer Boykin.âEach part of this organization is critical to our success,â Boykin said.
General Dynamics Electric Boat Wins $967 Million Contract
General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics, wasn awarded a $967 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy for Lead Yard Support and Development and Design efforts for Virginia-class fast-attack submarines.The cost-plus-fixed fee modification to a previously awarded contract totals $967,185,528. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut; McLeansville, North Carolina; Newport News, Virginia; and Newport and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Work is expected to be completed by October 2024. This contract was awarded on September 29. 2023.Virginia-class submarines are designed for the full range of 21st-century mission requirementsâŚ
Offshore Wind: US Shipbuilders Answering the Call
Itâs a big deal when a U.S. president visits an American shipyard, and these trips always send a message. When President Obama spoke at HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding in 2013, he warned of the consequences of sequestration. President Trumpâs 2020 speech at Fincantieri Marinette Marine touted a $5.5 billion naval contract that gave a welcome boost to the Wisconsin shipyard and its supply chain partners. Most recently, President Biden traveled to Philadelphiaâs Philly ShipyardâŚ
Electric Boat Lays Keel for Submarine Tang (SSN 805)
General Dynamics Electric Boat held a keel laying for the Virginia-class submarine Tang (SSN 805) at its facility in Quonset Point, North Kingstown, R.I.The submarine will be the third ship in the U.S. Navy to carry the name Tang. The first USS Tang was a Balao-class submarine, SS 306, credited as the most successful U.S. submarine of WWII, sinking the most tonnage of any U.S. submarineâ33 enemy shipsâon five war patrols over the course of just 14 months."This ship representsâŚ
Newport News Authenticates Keel of Virginia-class Attack Submarine Oklahoma
HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division authenticated the keel today for Virginia-class attack submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802).âWe enjoy participating in Navy traditions like this one because they remind us of the important role we play in our nationâs defense,â NNS President Jennifer Boykin said. âThe nuclear submarines we build help ensure our peace and freedoms, and we take great pride in being a nuclear shipyard.âThe shipâs sponsor is Mary âMollyâ Slavonic, an Oklahoma native. Slavonic has long supported both the state of Oklahoma and the Navy.
HII Awarded Contract for Aircraft Carrier Maintenance
HII announced Monday that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to support maintenance of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in San Diego. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), cost-plus incentive and award contract has a potential value of $528.4 million over five years, if all options are exercised.The contract covers maintenance, repair and modernization efforts for Nimitz- and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers home-ported in and visiting the San Diego area.
The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed
The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it canât build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission, the Navy would include 293 battle force ships at the end of FY2024 and 291 battle force ships at the end of FY2028."But there is progressâŚ
HII Dry Dock Gate to Become Part of Sustainable Fish Reef
HII announced its Newport News Shipbuilding division partnered with the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) to donate and sink a former dry dock caisson gate offshore, giving it new life as part of an artificial reef.Caisson gates are used at the harbor end of a dry dock, with pipes inside allowing for water from the James River to enter when NNS needs to flood the dry dock. This particular gate, originally put into service at NNS in 1967, was part of a dry dock no longer in use at the shipyard.NNS crews worked to prepare the caisson gateâŚ
GD Electric Boat Scores $1B for Submarine Modifications
General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a $1.076 billion contract modification from the U.S. Navy to provide long-lead-time material and advanced construction for Virginia-class fast-attack submarines.Electric Boat is presently under contract for construction of submarines in Block V of the class. The $1,075,896,000 in advance procurement funds from this contract modification will enable Electric Boat to purchase materials andâŚ
Welin Lambie to Supply Davits for US Navy's Ford Class Carriers
Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), has been awarded a purchase order by Newport News Shipbuilding to supply four davits through Welin Lambie for the Ford Class aircraft carriers CVN 80 and CVN 81 (two davits per vessel). The award follows the supply of davits for CVN 78, which just entered service, and CVN 79, which is currently under construction. âThis contract reinforces FMDâs position as a critical supplier to its core naval defense customers,â said Jay McFadyen, FMDâs Chief Commercial Officer.
HII Breaks Ground on New Submarine Facility
Global all-domain defense partner HII recently broke ground on a new project that will support nuclear submarine construction at its Newport News Shipbuilding division.The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is one of three new facilities, enabling NNS to further support the construction and delivery of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines.âThe Navy has made it clear how important both the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs are to our nationâs defense,â said Brandi Smith, NNS vice president of Columbia-class submarine construction.
VIDEO: Patrick Ryan Named CTO at ABS
As Patrick Ryan assumes the top tech exec spot at ABS, Maritime Reporter TV interviewed him on the eve of the announcement. While shipowners face multiple technology challenges ahead, Ryan said a top priority is the bridging of technology from the fundamental phase into operational solutions. ABS appointed Patrick Ryan as Chief Technology Officer to support continued development of ABS as a maritime technology leader.Having served as Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Technology since 2019âŚ
Chief of Naval Operations Visits Austal USA
Austal USA welcomed U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday at the companyâs Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The CNO toured the shipyardâs facility and discussed the companyâs growing diversity of design and shipbuilding contracts. During his tour, the CNO witnessed the production of both steel and aluminum ships in the companyâs 867,000-sq. ft. module manufacturing facility, including operations supporting the submarine industrial base.Austal USA leadership briefed the CNO on the companyâs involvement in several autonomous surface vessel programsâŚ
Newport News Authenticates Keel for US Navy Sub Arkansas
HIIâs (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division hosted a keel authentication ceremony for Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800).The shipâs sponsors are the six women of the historic group known as the Little Rock Nine, the first African American students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas during desegregation. NNS honored all nine members, including the three men, during Saturdayâs ceremony.The Little Rock Nine made history in 1957 with their response to the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v.
Newport News Shipbuilding Announces Leadership Changes
HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding division announced several promotions âdesigned to optimize its shipyard operations and accelerate executionâ.âWe have been on an aggressive journey to transform the way we run our business. Accomplishing this transformation while running our complex business is not a simple task,â said Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding. âOur Navy customer expects us to deliver ships on time and on budget so they can meet the evolving demands of the global security environment.
Shipyards Adapt to help Navy, Coast Guard Recapitalize Fleets
U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine in WisconsinâŚ