Photo caption: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) conducts routine flight operations, Sept. 2, 2026. George Washington is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo)
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Sept. 11, 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.
HII Awarded $336 Million For CVN 82: The Defense Post reported on Monday that HII has received a $336 million U.S. Navy contract to procure long lead-time materials to build Ford-class aircraft carrier William J. Clinton (CVN 82). The contract enables HII to begin buying long-lead-time components and materials years ahead of the ship’s construction. The $336 million represents the contract’s maximum ceiling, while the U.S. Navy and HII negotiate the final price. Naval Technology reported on Monday CVN 82’s procurement is funded through the Navy’s Shipbuilding and Conversion account for 2026. William J. Clinton is set to become the fifth vessel in the Ford class of carriers.
Eric Chewning Testifies Before House Subcommittee: Defense Daily reported on Tuesday that Eric Chewning, HII executive vice president for maritime systems and corporate strategy, explained how the company is increasing throughput during a Sept. 4 House Appropriations Defense subcommittee field hearing. Chewning told lawmakers during the hearing held at the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center that HII is accelerating throughput by focusing on workforce improvements, adding new shipbuilding infrastructure and reinforcing distributed shipbuilding. HII will outsource more than 2 million hours of work in 2026, a 178% increase from 2024, and the company is partnering with 23 smaller shipyards and manufacturing centers to build components that are used during ship construction. HII is also building new shipbuilding infrastructure, with about $600 million in capital investments planned for 2026.
Rival Bid Creates Competition For Austal USA: The Maritime Executive reported on Monday that U.S.-based investment firm Wildcat Infrastructure plans to place a competing bid for the operations of Austal USA. The move would challenge Hanwha Group, which is undergoing due diligence after it expressed interest in acquiring the company. Australia’s Financial Review reported on Monday that Austal’s Alabama shipyards make structural components for the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines. They also manufacture Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ships for the U.S. Navy, and offshore patrol cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard. Hanwha’s bid values Austal’s U.S. unit at between $1.05 billion and $1.2 billion. A Wildcat bid would have to overcome Hanwha’s existing 9.9% stake in Austal. Wildcat Infrastructure is a subsidiary of Wildcat Equity Partners, a private family investment firm. Its LinkedIn page notes the company “builds and acquires next-generation companies driven by the global demand for critical infrastructure, specifically energy, information, transport, and water infrastructure.”
Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman Urges Industry to Adopt More Risk: Defense Scoop reported on Wednesday that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine urged industry to join the Defense Department in embracing a more shared sense of risk when delivering in-demand technologies. During the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies Conference and Exhibition this week, Caine called on government buyers and commercial sellers explore compromises on cost, speed and experimentation as they deliver and adopt new assets in the modern global security environment. National Defense reported on Wednesday that Caine’s address also touched on the battlefield of the future. Data quality, consistency and availability are critical to successful and effective joint operations in every domain, he said. The moves that industry and the department are making are critical to ensure that the Joint Force can take full advantage of data across every domain, from unclassified to top secret and higher, he added.
Social Media Highlight Of The Week 
Posted Sept. 7 to HII’s LinkedIn page: “#LaborDay is a time to pause and recognize the American workers whose hard work contributes to the strength and prosperity of our Nation. HII is proud to employ a 45,000-strong team of shipbuilders who serve and support the U.S. Sailors and Marines who work tirelessly to protect us and our freedoms. We’re working diligently to deliver five ships in five different classes to the US Navy in the coming months. Thanks to our employees across our shipyards, tech teams, and global operations, we’re able to achieve our mission because of the dedication of our workforce. Let’s go Shipbuilders! We wish you a safe and relaxing holiday.” |
Navy Evaluates Middle East Supply Hubs: The Epoch Times reported on Thursday that the U.S. Navy is evaluating what to do with its headquarters in the Middle East after the Bahrain-based installation sustained damage during the current conflict with Iran. The Bahrain logistics base, as well as other depots in the region that can accommodate an aircraft carrier and supply ships, are within range of Iranian missiles and drones, making access difficult. The New York Times reported earlier this month that the risk associated with those installations is forcing the Navy to resupply ships at sea more often. Navy leaders are adjusting to the environment. Stars and Stripes reported Thursday that more space aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is being dedicated to store food, hygiene products and other supplies as it prepares for its upcoming Middle East deployment. Business Insider reported on Tuesday that the Navy is also adding quality-of-life measures to carriers, including new entertainment equipment on the mess decks, more durable fitness equipment and spare cardio machines, said Adm. Daryl Caudle, the chief of naval operations, in a video posted to social media on Monday. USNI News reported on Wednesday that destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) pulled into port in Mombasa, Kenya, for the first time, as the U.S. Navy considers new destinations for support operations and resupply ships.
HII’s Weekly News Digest is produced by HII’s Corporate Communications team and posted to MyHII every Friday.
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