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Wittman News

19 Jul 2022

Subchapter M Phase-in Period Draws to a Close

© Drew / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday marked the end of the four-year Subchapter M certificate of inspection (COI) phase-in period for U.S.-registered towing vessels. Subchapter M, the United States regulatory code dealing with towing vessels and requirements for towing vessel safety, has officially been in place since July 2016, when the U.S. Coast Guard finalized the long-awaited Sub M rulemaking. The first COIs were issued in 2018, and all of the more than 5,000 U.S. domestic towing vessels must have valid COIs on board by July 19…

25 Aug 2021

Video: First Steel Cut for Aircraft Carrier Doris Miller

(Photo: HII)

A steel cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday for the U.S. Navy’s newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Doris Miller (CVN 81).Slated to be the fourth Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, CVN 81 is currently under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard in Newport News, Va. Doris Miller’s keel is scheduled to be laid in 2026 and delivered to the Navy in 2032.Doris Miller is the second ship of the two-carrier contract award HII received in January 2019 for the detail design and construction of the Gerald R.

19 Mar 2018

US Navy Asks Huntington Ingalls for Pricing on Two Aircraft Carriers

Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departs Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding for builder’s sea trials in April 2017 (U.S. Navy photo by Christopher Delano)

The U.S. Navy asked shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries on Monday for detailed pricing on the cost of two aircraft carriers, showing the Trump administration is taking a serious look at doubling its order for the most expensive ship in the U.S. fleet. The Navy’s request seeks to determine the savings achievable with a two-ship buy. “This opportunity for a two-ship contract is dependent on significant savings that the shipbuilding industry and government must demonstrate,” said James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research development and acquisitions.

12 Dec 2017

Proposal for 355-ship US Navy Signed into Law

File photo: Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding (Photo: John Whalen)

Included in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed today by President Donald Trump is policy to grow the U.S. Navy fleet from its current 279 ships to a minimum of 355. “With his signature, President Trump has confirmed the United States’ resolve to meet the growing needs of our U.S. Navy,” said Senate Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.), who introduced the Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act along with Rep. Rob Wittman (Va.).

22 Jun 2017

SHIPS Act: 355 Ship Navy Gets Legislative Mandate

The push to rebuild the U.S. Navy received a boost today when U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Congressman Rob Wittman, R-Va., introduced bicameral, bipartisan legislation that would make it the policy of the United States to achieve the Navy’s requirement of 355 ships. Under the “Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act,” the fleet would be comprised of the optimal mix of platforms, with funding levels subject to annual appropriations. Currently, 276 ships are in the battle fleet.

22 Mar 2017

Trump's Navy: A Look at the Future US Navy

President Donald J. Trump speaks with Sailors in the hangar bay aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). Trump visited to meet with Sailors and shipbuilders of the Navy’s first-in-class aircraft carrier during an all-hands call inside the ship’s hangar bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Joshua Sheppard)

It’s still too early to know for certain what the new administration will do about building up the U.S. Navy, as the numbers are a moving target. But with President Trump’s recent pledge to add $54 billion to defense spending, it’s a safe bet to make that the fleet will grow. So let’s start with the numbers. There are different ways to count the fleet size, including whether or not you count auxiliaries, but let’s use this number as the baseline: There are 274 ships in the U.S. Navy now.

23 Feb 2017

Reps. Wittman and Palazzo Visit Ingalls Shipbuilding Division

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted Reps. Rob Wittman, R-Va., and Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., on Wednesday for a tour of the shipyard, which included ships under construction at Ingalls. “Today was an informative visit to Ingalls Shipbuilding—one of our nation’s best assets,” said Wittman, who is chairman of the House Armed Services’ Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. “It is obvious the men and women of Ingalls brandish their skill-sets to build high-quality ships for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. Wittman and Palazzo met with Ingalls leadership during the tour and had the chance to meet shipbuilders on various ships under construction.

25 Feb 2016

Rep. Courtney Visits Newport News Shipbuilding

Aaron Wikle (left), a pipefitter at Newport News Shipbuilding, shows Rep. Joe Courtney how the shipyard is presenting work to shipbuilders in a visual environment with the goal of improving quality and cost performance. (Photo by Chris Oxley/HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) Tueaday, for a tour of the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. The congressman saw first-hand the progress being made on Virginia-class submarines, which Newport News builds in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat, located in Courtney’s district. He also learned about progress being made on the aircraft carriers Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and met with Newport News…

28 Apr 2015

Reps. Courtney, Wittman Honored for Maritime Leadership

SCA President Matt Paxton and newly elected SCA Chairman Tom Godfrey, Jr. honor Congressmen Joe Courtney and Wittman with the Maritime Leadership Award (Photo: SCA)

United States Congressmen Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) this week received the Maritime Leadership Award from the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), a national trade association representing the nation’s shipbuilding and repair industry. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and support to the shipbuilding and repair industry. “From their critical role in supporting the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry…

01 Dec 2014

Interview: Matthew Paxton, President, Shipbuilders Council Of America

Matthew Paxton

The U.S. commercial maritime industry is enjoying its most robust period in a generation, with a spate of newbuild activities spurred largely by a resurgent energy production market in the U.S. as well as new rules of vessel emissions which has forced owner to invest in new tonnage. For insight and perspective on the market Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visits with Matthew Paxton, who was selected to be the President of the Shipbuilders Council of America in 2007. In this capacity he advocates for a robust and expanding U.S. shipyard industrial base.

07 Sep 2014

Virginia Statesmen Visit Newport News Shipbuilding

Huntington Ingalls Industries informs it hosted U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas; Bobby Scott, D-Va.; Randy Forbes, R-Va.; Rob Wittman, R-Va.; and Scott Rigell, R-Va., for a tour of the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division. The tour gave the Virginia statesmen the opportunity to introduce Thornberry to their shipbuilding constituents and get a behind-the-scenes look at the defense industrial base. Accompanied by Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin, the congressmen got an in-depth look at aircraft carrier and submarine construction, including a tour of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and a look at ROVR (rapid operational virtual reality), a tool used to increase construction efficiencies.

05 May 2014

MARAD to Host National Maritime Strategy Symposium

Anthony Foxx, U.S. Secretary of Transportation

On Tuesday, May 6, at 9 a.m. EDT, the Maritime Administration and the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council will host the second National Maritime Strategy Symposium in Washington, D.C. Building upon the first Symposium held in January, this public meeting will focus on domestic U.S. maritime issues, including ports, shipping, shipyards, environmental compliance and maritime energy use, and labor and workforce development. Speakers include: Anthony Foxx, Secretary of Transportation…

27 Mar 2014

Virginia Leads US in Shipbuilding Jobs

Alexander Manning pulls a piece of track into position at Newport News Shipbuilding under a transfer car for the submarine John Marner (SSN 785). Photo by Chris Oxley

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) today joined with the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Congressman Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), to highlight new data that shows Virginia ranks first among all U.S. states in shipbuilding with 63,650 jobs, far and above any other state. These jobs pump more than $5.5 billion into Virginia’s economy every year. The U.S. shipyard industrial base in Virginia and across the nation is vital to America’s national and economic security. Private U.S.

09 Dec 2013

Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School Opened

Opening ceremony: Image credit HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries has announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has officially opened its new Apprentice School, located at 3101 Washington Ave. in downtown Newport News. Apprentices, faculty and staff were joined by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott and Rob Wittman, Virginia Delegate Chris Jones, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, HII President and CEO Mike Petters, NNS President Matt Mulherin, Armada Hoffler Holding Co. President and CEO Lou Haddad…

18 Jul 2013

NOIA Miffed Secretary Jewell Not Familiar with Ocean Policy

National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) say they were surprised by Secretary Jewell’s unfamiliarity with National Ocean Policy, but encouraged by her statement on Including new areas in future offshore leasing plan. During a House Natural Resources Committee hearing, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) questioned Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell on his observation of an inherent conflict between management of offshore resources under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Administration’s 2010 executive order establishing a National Ocean Policy. The Secretary indicated she was not familiar with this policy and would have to respond in writing.

22 Mar 2013

NOIA Applauds Bi-Partisan Support for Atlantic Seismic EIS

Photo: NOIA

National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement applauding a bi-partisan letter from U.S. “Under the leadership of Congressmen Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Rob Wittman (R-VA), this letter again confirms strong support from across the mid and south Atlantic region for finally conducting a modern seismic survey of potential oil and gas resources in Atlantic waters. For over a generation, Americans have been forced to ignore these potential resources, relying upon outdated estimates using older technology.

29 Oct 2012

Newport News Shipbuilding Christens 10th VA-Class Submarine

Ship's Sponsor Ellen Roughead performs the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the hull of the submarine Minnesota (SSN 783). Also pictured (left to right) are Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin and Cmdr. John Fancher, the ship's prospective commanding officer.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) christened the 10th Virginia-class submarine, Minnesota (SSN 783), at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. The ship's sponsor, Ellen Roughead, performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the submarine's hull. Roughead, a Minnesota native, is the wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead. "Minnesota is the sum of all her parts," Mrs. Roughead said. "Everything and everyone who has contributed will be an ingredient in the spirit and the force that makes Minnesota.

07 May 2012

Shipyard Apprentice School – Ground-breaking Ceremony at Newport News

Dignatories at Ground-breaking Ceremony: Photo credit HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries announce that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division broke ground on the shipyard's new Apprentice School campus. Apprentice School students, faculty and staff were joined by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, U.S. Reps. Scott Rigell, Bobby Scott and Rob Wittman, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, HII leadership and other business and community leaders  at the construction site for a ceremonial ground-breaking event. Armada Hoffler, the City of Newport News…

15 Feb 2012

ABS Recognized for 150 Years of Service

ABS celebrated its 150th anniversary in Washington, DC on 31 January and was recognized by Members of Congress for the classification society’s proud history and unwavering commitment to the American and international maritime community. “I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating ABS on its 150th anniversary and in recognizing ABS’ significant service to the American marine and offshore industries and our sea services,” stated Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, in remarks entered into the Congressional Record. Congressman LoBiondo was joined by Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA)…

06 Feb 2012

This Week at ASNE Day 2012

The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) will present many of its most prestigious awards this week at ASNE Day 2012. In addition to the notable guest presenters listed below, the ASNE Day Honors Gala will feature remarks by The Honorable Rob Wittman (VA-1), Co-Chair of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus. ASNE Day 2012 wraps up on Friday with remarks by guest speaker The Honorable Sean J. Stackley , Assistant Secretary of the Navy (RDA) at the Annual Awards Luncheon. - Frank G. Presented by Mr. Ronald K. Kiss to Dr. Presented by RADM Thomas J. Eccles, USN to Dr. Presented by VADM John T. Blake, USN to Mr. John C. - Clifford G. Presented by RADM Ronald J. Rábago, USCG to Mr. Jeffery G. Presented by RDML Thomas G. Wears, USN to Mr. Jeffrey E. - Claud A. Presented by RADM Ronald J.

24 Jun 2011

Strategic Partnership in U.S. Shipbuilding, Repair Industry

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA)  announced that Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding Divisions and General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works (General Dynamics NASSCO is currently a member of the SCA) have joined its national trade association. The move will enhance SCA’s ability to communicate the critical role that the shipbuilding and repair sectors play in bolstering economic, national and homeland security. “Today’s announcement is an important development for the effective representation of the shipyard industry in our nation’s capital. The integration of these major defense construction…

08 Nov 2010

Northrop Grumman Christens Submarine, California

Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) christened the eighth submarine of the Virginia class, California (SSN 781), at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. Donna Willard, the ship's sponsor, performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the submarine's hull. She is the wife of Adm. Robert F. Willard, the current Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command. Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, served as the keynote speaker.

08 Nov 2010

Northrop Grumman Christens Virginia-Class Submarine

From left to right, Cmdr. Dana Nelson, commanding officer, Pre-commissioning Unit California, Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations and Environment; Mike Petters, president of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and Mrs. Donna Willard, sponsor of California. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding christened the eighth submarine of the Virginia class, California (SSN 781), at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. on Nov. 6.

Northrop Grumman christened the eighth submarine of the Virginia class, California (SSN 781), at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. Mrs. Donna Willard, the ship's sponsor, performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the submarine's hull. She is the wife of Adm. Robert F. Willard, the current Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command. Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, served as the keynote speaker.