Photo caption: A Carrier Air Wing 8 F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft flies over the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 8, 2026. USS Gerald R. Ford was built at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. (U.S. Navy photo)

Download the pdf

Jan. 23, 2026

HII’s Weekly News Digest is compiled every Friday by the Corporate Communications team to summarize and highlight news stories of significance to the company.

USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) Successful At Sea Trials: Workboat reported on Wednesday that HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division and the U.S. Navy have conducted a comprehensive series of at-sea tests on USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) to evaluate ship systems and overall performance after the installation of new combat capabilities. The trials followed a major availability that converted USS Zumwalt into the Navy’s first platform configured to carry the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic weapon system. USNI News reported on Wednesday that the Ingalls team completed major technology upgrades that includes integrating the CPS weapon system and replacing the original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with new missile tubes. Last week during the Surface Navy Association’s national symposium, the Navy’s Zumwalt-class program manager Capt. Clint Lawler said USS Zumwalt will be made ready for testing of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) missile after it is delivered back to the service. The third ship in the Zumwalt class, USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), is also at Ingalls going through combat system activation and the installation of the new missile tubes. The second Zumwalt, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is in San Diego, California, and is scheduled to undergo the CPS installation.

HII Selected For $25.4 Billion Defense Microelectronics Contract: WashingtonExec reported on Tuesday that HII’s Mission Technologies division has been selected as one of the 12 companies to support a 10-year, $25.4 billion Defense Department microelectronics contract focused on engineering, modernization and technology sustainment. The Advanced Technology Support Program V contract, awarded by the Defense Microelectronics Activity, provides federal defense and civilian agencies with access to microelectronics engineering, prototyping and software support aimed at addressing system obsolescence and accelerating deployment of new capabilities. Under the contract, HII will support hardware and software development efforts ranging from analysis and design to integration, testing and limited production. Work will also include upgrades to existing systems intended to extend service life and improve performance against emerging threats. The program is designed to strengthen the Defense Department’s ability to modernize and sustain critical electronics and software systems supporting national security missions.

Congress Considering $839 Defense Spending Bill: Politico reported on Tuesday that House and Senate appropriators have endorsed an $8.4 billion hike to the administration’s fiscal year 2026 defense budget levels, for a total of $838.7 billion. Breaking Defense reported on Tuesday the bill includes $27.2 billion for 17 ships, including one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, two Virginia-class fast attack submarines, three medium landing ships, and one TAGOS SURTASS ship for anti-submarine warfare. It also adds $242 million for long lead items for FF(X) frigate program, $800 million to procure three additional medium landing ships, and $320 million for two additional ship-to-shore connectors. The agreement also includes $1.5 billion for the maritime industrial base “to invest in critical areas including supplier capacity and capability, strategic outsourcing, workforce training, and technology and infrastructure,” a summary of the bill states. The Navy’s sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter also got a lifeline in the bill, with appropriators adding $897 million above the president’s request to continue development of the aircraft. For the president’s massive Golden Dome initiative, the bill directs the Pentagon to submit a comprehensive spending plan for Golden Dome within 60 days after the enactment of the legislation, with detailed information on planned spending obligations from fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Lawmakers have complained that the Pentagon has failed to provide budgetary details and justification for the $23 billion allotted to the program as part of last year’s reconciliation bill.

Future Frigate Uses Begin To Take Shape: Defense Daily reported on Jan. 16 that the new FF(X) frigate, based on the Coast Guard’s national security cutter design that was built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, will have extremely constrained engineering changes. Chris Miller, executive director of Naval Sea Systems Command, said the ship “is designed,” save for a handful of engineering changes that involve its warfare systems. Miller’s focus now is getting the ship into production. Navy officials said they plan to focus on limiting modifications and ultimately add most additional systems in containerized payloads installed on the rear section of the frigate or in future flight variants, comparing it to the differences between the Arleigh Burke-class Flight I and III guided-missile destroyers. Inside Defense reported on Friday, Jan. 16, that The Navy’s new frigate will be a “low-end workhorse” to perform relatively simple missions and ease the strain on Arleigh Burke destroyers and other more advanced warships. Surface Warfare Director Rear Adm. Derek Trinque said the ship fits into the president’s National Security Strategy’s focus on homeland security within the Western Hemisphere. The frigate’s primary missions will be surface warfare — including offensive surface strike, maritime interdiction and escort support — and command and control for unmanned systems, according to new details presented at the Surface Navy Association’s National Symposium. Defense Daily reported on Tuesday that the House’s fiscal year 2026 defense appropriations conference bill includes $242 million to procure long-lead material for the FF(X) program.

U.S. Moves Carrier Strike Group As Trump Weighs Options On Iran: The New York Times reported on Friday that U.S. naval forces continue to steam toward the Middle East in an effort to apply pressure on Iran’s leadership as the government quells nationwide protests using deadly force. The Associated Press reported on Friday that the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and its associated carrier strike group were in the Indian Ocean and heading into the Gulf of Oman. The strike group’s presence would expand U.S. strike options and provide the sustained airpower needed for deterrence or prolonged operations. USNI News reported on Monday that the Lincoln strike group brings an embarked air wing, destroyers and electronic warfare aircraft to the Middle East. The New York Times report noted that President Donald Trump has warned the Iranian government of potential strikes if the government continues to use deadly force on protestors and prisoners.

HII’s Weekly News Digest is produced by HII’s Corporate Communications team and posted to Homeport every Friday.

Please note: Social media is blocked on HII computers for most employees. Employees are encouraged to visit HII’s Facebook page and other social media sites on personal time and from non-work devices.

Send feedback to: HII_Communications@hii-co.com.