Newport News Shipbuilding News

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, on February 23 for a tour of the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin accompanied the congresswoman on the shipyard tour, which included progress updates on the aircraft carriers Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), as well as the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) refueling complex overhaul and the Enterprise (CVN 65) inactivation. Granger also learned about Newport News’ role in the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted commencement exercises on Saturday for 184 graduates of the company’s Apprentice School located at Newport News Shipbuilding. The ceremony was held at Liberty Baptist Church Worship Center in Hampton. Rear Adm. Mat Winter, the U.S. Navy’s deputy program executive officer for the F-35 Lightning II, reminded the company’s newest shipbuilders during his commencement address that everything they have achieved and will continue to achieve makes a difference.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) today hosted Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla., for a tour of the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division. The senator, a military veteran, also met over breakfast with sailors from Oklahoma serving aboard the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). Ford is under construction at Newport News and scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2016. Lincoln is undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at the shipyard until 2016. Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin led the tour, which included a visit to one of the shipyard's aircraft carrier construction facilities, a demonstration of the virtual design tool being used to design Ford-class aircraft carriers and a tour of Ford.

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Board of Directors has elected Jennifer R. Boykin to serve as executive vice president of HII and president of HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division, effective July 1. She will succeed Matt Mulherin, who announced that he will retire on August 1 after a 36-year career at Newport News Shipbuilding. Boykin, who will report to HII President and CEO Mike Petters effective July 1, currently serves as vice president, engineering and design for Newport News Shipbuilding.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) got underway for sea trails, May 9, following a four-year refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia. The four-day sea trails marks Abraham Lincoln's first time underway since March 2013. The ship spent its last days in the shipyard completing a five-day "fast cruise," May 2-7, making final preparations for its transit to Naval Station Norfolk. "We are looking forward to taking the ship out on the open water where we belong," said Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, Lincoln's executive officer.

The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departed Naval Station Norfolk for its second set of sea trials, known as acceptance trials (AT) May 24. Acceptance Trials demonstrate to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) the ship's ability to conduct operations at sea and that the ship is constructed in accordance with contract specifications. Over the next several days, CVN 78 Sailors will operate many of the ship's key systems and technologies, overseen by INSURV and the Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding…

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of its newest warship, a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier to be named in honor of the 38th president of the United States. The product of years of construction, planning and design, the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was delivered from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division to the Navy in Newport News, Va., on May 31, following the ship's completion of acceptance trials May 26. Ford will be commissioned into the fleet this summer, formally placing the ship into active service.

John Temple has been appointed vice president of strategic sourcing at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division. Temple, an Apprentice School graduate, began his shipbuilding career in Newport News’ pipe department. He has worked in quality inspection, cost engineering and contracts and pricing. Five years ago, he earned the “Master Shipbuilder” designation, which celebrates shipbuilders who have worked 40 years of continuous service. He most recently served as vice president of contracts and supply chain management at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has increased its indoor material storage capacity by more than 500,000 square feet with the addition of new warehouse space in the West Park Warehouse Complex in Hampton. “The new warehouse not only provides Newport News Shipbuilding with increased storage capacity, but provides us room to execute several changes to our procurement and logistics strategies in an effort to reduce overall cost, increase material availability and better support our programs across the shipyard,” said Brian Fields, Newport News’ Vice President, Supply Chain Management. Additional storage capacity facilitates Newport News’ ability to buy parts and materials in bulk.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced several leadership changes at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. Lucas Hicks has been promoted to vice president of construction for the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), and Charles Southall has been promoted to vice president of engineering and design. Southall succeeds Jennifer Boykin, who previously served in the role before being named president of Newport News Shipbuilding. Mike Shawcross, who currently serves as Newport News’ vice president…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $219 million modification to a previously awarded contract to execute maintenance and modernization efforts on the submarine USS Columbus (SSN 762). Contract work includes maintenance, repair, alterations, testing and routine work on the ship’s hull structure, tanks, propulsion systems, electric plant, auxiliary systems, armament and furnishings. Work will begin immediately and is expected to be completed in August 2019.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said United Steelworkers Local 8888 members at its Newport News Shipbuilding division have voted 1,985-131 in favor of a new labor agreement. The new contract will run through November 14, 2021. “This offer is fair, competitive in the industry and respectful of the needs of our great shipbuilders,” said Susan Jacobs, Newport News’ vice president of human resources and administration. “It’s an offer that also maintains our competitiveness in…

Northrop Grumman Corporation and Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Northrop Grumman will acquire Newport News Shipbuilding. The boards of directors of both companies approved the terms of the transaction in which Northrop Grumman will acquire all the outstanding shares of Newport News. $67.50, subject to certain limitations and proration procedures. Northrop Grumman expects to promptly amend its existing offer documents in order to reflect the merger agreement. Shipbuilding shareholders will have the same right to elect to receive cash or shares of Northrop Grumman stock as described above. Kent Kresa, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer.

News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics. proposed merger between NNS and GD. two companies can be negotiated. Any agreement reached between Newport News Shipbuilding and Northrop Grumman would require the approval of the Newport News Shipbuilding Board of Directors.

GlobalSim has installed a Virtual Reality Crane Simulator Training System at Newport News Shipbuilding. The system provides a high-tech solution for training crane operators without risking personnel or equipment run by novice operators. The VR solution includes laptop computers, a headset and controls – all packaged in travel cases. This order is expected to be one of many simulators as Newport News Shipbuilding works to improve the effectiveness and safety of their crane operations.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced two promotions to the company’s leadership team at its Newport News Shipbuilding division: Dave Bolcar has been promoted to vice president of submarine construction, and Bill Smith has been promoted to vice president, fleet support programs. Having most recently served as director of the Columbia-class program, Bolcar is now vice president of submarine construction, which currently encompasses both the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs.

Shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.) Tuesday for a tour of the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division. Ken Mahler, Newport News' vice president of Navy programs, joined Crenshaw for the visit, which included a tour of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and discussions about increased efficiencies and construction progress on Ford and John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). Crenshaw also visited a submarine construction facility…

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) Newport News Shipbuilding division was awarded a contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat worth up to $468 million to begin work on integrated product and process development for the U.S. Navy’s new Columbia-class submarines. The U.S. Navy awarded a $5 billion detailed design contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat on September 21. Newport News Shipbuilding is the subcontractor for the new class of ballistic-missile submarines that are being designed to replace the Ohio-class submarines. The contract work, which began on October 1, allows for the completion of the design and also includes engineering analysis, component development, detail planning and technical services.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has converted its steam-generation plant from heavy fuel oil, also known as Bunker C, to natural gas to improve safety and lower operating costs and emissions to the environment. The plant generates low-pressure steam to heat many of the shipyard’s facilities, to provide process heat and to support hotel services—including hot water, food preparation and galley services—to the ships undergoing construction and overhaul.

Mary Cullen has been appointed vice president of nuclear propulsion at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division. Cullen will assume her new role on November 14 following a transition into the job with the help of Barry Fletcher, who will retire from the position after 37 years of shipbuilding service. “Throughout his tenure, Barry has made significant contributions to the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program, earning him the respect of many and the ultimate responsibility of serving as our company’s ‘head nuke…

Huntington Ingalls Industries, the largest shipbuilder for the U.S. government, said new tariffs on steel and aluminum should not impact the price of its own shipbuilding in the near-term, but does not know if tariffs will raise prices for its suppliers. Huntington's Newport News Shipbuilding yard in Virginia has a multi-year financial agreement that guarantees steady pricing for its steel, known as a hedge, Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, told reporters on Tuesday at the Sea Air Space Exposition in National Harbor, Maryland.

Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that Jon Arena has been named vice president and chief counsel of HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. He will succeed Jim Gildea, who retired on April 1. Arena will be a key member of the law department’s leadership team, reporting directly to Kellye Walker, executive vice president and chief legal officer, and indirectly to Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin. In this role, he will be responsible for providing…