Jim Hughes News

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has reached a milestone in the construction of the submarine Indiana (SSN 789). The 16th Virginia-class submarine has reached “pressure hull complete,” signifying that all of its hull sections are joined to form a single, watertight unit. Ship’s Sponsor Diane Donald, wife of Adm. Kirk Donald (U.S. Navy, Ret.), and Ray Shearer, chairman of Indiana’s commissioning committee, visited the shipyard to see the progress being made on the submarine and meet with its crew.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $57.8 million contract to perform planning in support of maintenance and modernization efforts on the submarine USS Columbus (SSN 762). If all contract options are exercised, the total value of the work would be $288 million. Contract work will include maintenance and restoration of the ship's hull structure, tanks, propulsion systems, electric plant, auxiliary systems, armament and furnishings, as well as numerous ship alterations.

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division delivered the submarine John Warner (SSN 785) to the U.S. Navy today. The Virginia-class submarine, the first to be named for a person, was delivered two and a half months ahead of schedule. "This submarine embodies the spirit of Senator Warner and symbolizes his unwavering support for the Navy and the shipyard," said Jim Hughes, Newport News' vice president of submarines and fleet support. John Warner is the 12th Virginia-class submarine and the sixth to be delivered by Newport News.

A Virginia-class attack submarine named after former U.S. Sen. John Warner has successfully completed an initial round of sea trials,  reports UPI. The U.S. Navy has completed initial sea trials to demonstrate its systems and capabilities. All systems, components and compartments were tested. The submarine submerged for the first time and operated at high speeds under water and on the surface. Huntington Ingalls Industries, who's Newport News Shipbuilding is constructing the vessel, John Warner, in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat, said the initial sea trials were completed last Saturday. Huntington Ingalls says in a news release that its Newport News Shipbuilding division will deliver the submarine to the Navy following several more rounds of sea trials.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) launched the Virginia-class submarine John Warner (SSN 785) into the James River on September 10 at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division, kicking off the final outfitting, testing and crew certification phase of construction prior to sea trials next year. "The John Warner team has made tremendous progress over the last year," said Jim Hughes, Newport News' vice president of submarines and fleet support. A video of the launching is available here. John Warner will be the sixth Virginia-class submarine to be delivered to the U.S.

Huntington Ingalls Industries informs that the Virginia-class submarine 'Minnesota' (SSN 783) being built at HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has successfully completed its first round of sea tests and evaluations. All systems, components and compartments were tested during the trials. The submarine submerged for the first time and operated at high speeds on the surface and under water. Minnesota will undergo two more rounds of sea trials, including one with the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, before delivery later this month. Minnesota is anticipated to deliver approximately 11 months ahead of its contracted delivery date.

Huntington Ingalls Industries inform that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has hosted a visit by former U.S. Sen. John Warner and ship's sponsor Jeanne Warner today to see the steady progress being made on the Virginia-class fast attack submarine bearing his name. John Warner (SSN 785) has reached its "pressure hull complete" construction milestone, which signifies that all of the submarine's hull sections are joined to form a single, water-tight unit. John Warner will be the 12th Virginia-class submarine and is the only Virginia-class submarine to bear the name of a person.

The "Memorial Mural," painted by Thomas W. Skinner in 1947, once on display in The Apprentice School's administration and classroom building is being restored. The "Memorial Mural," once on display in The Apprentice School's administration and classroom building, has served as a reminder of the men and women who not only built ships for the Navy but also served as sailors and soldiers themselves. Skinner's mural is being restored to its original vibrancy at The Mariners' Museum before claiming its home in The Apprentice School's new facility, which is currently under construction.

'Minnesota' (SSN 783) being built at HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division, successfully completes 'Alpha' sea trials. All systems, components and compartments were tested during the trials. The submarine submerged for the first time and operated at high speeds on the surface and under water. Minnesota will undergo two more rounds of sea trials, including one with the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, before delivery later this month. Minnesota is anticipated to deliver approximately 11 months ahead of its contracted delivery date.

This was the first for the program and part of the plan to increase shipment capacity in support of the U.S. Navy's two-submarines-per-year build rate. The module that comprises the torpedo room for North Dakota (SSN 784) was loaded onto the sea shuttle, which is used for the two-plus-day voyage to Electric Boat's main shipyard in Groton, Conn. Right behind it was the module containing the auxiliary machine room (AMR) for John Warner (SSN 785), which is headed to Electric Boat's fabrication plant in Quonset Point, R.I.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced that the Virginia-class submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) is "pressure hull complete," signifying that all of the submarine's hull sections have been joined to form a single, watertight unit. Minnesota will be the 10th Virginia-class submarine and the fifth delivered by HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. "This is a key milestone in the construction of the submarine," said Jim Hughes, NNS' vice president of submarines and fleet support.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) said that the Virginia-class submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) is "pressure hull complete," signifying that all of the submarine's hull sections have been joined to form a single, watertight unit. Minnesota will be the 10th Virginia-class submarine and the fifth delivered by HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. "This is a key milestone in the construction of the submarine," said Jim Hughes, NNS' vice president of submarines and fleet support.

More than 400 employees, their family members and friends participated in Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) 5K Fun Run/Walk. The event was held at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. on Oct.2. Jim Hughes, Newport News' vice president of aircraft carrier overhaul and carrier fleet support, welcomed shipbuilders and their families to the 5K. "This event is one of the many that we're doing this year as a part of our 2010 focus on our people," said Hughes. "What better things to focus on with our people than health, safety, wellness and quality of life.

The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract valued at approximately $2.4b for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The work will be performed by the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. and will include the refueling of the ship's reactors, as well as extensive modernization work to more than 2,300 compartments, 600 tanks, and hundreds of systems. In addition, major upgrades will be made to the flight deck, catapults, combat systems and the island.