Photo caption: An F-35B Lighting II takes off from the flight deck of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Mar. 6, 2026. Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), composed of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS San Diego (LPD 22), along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Reese Mitchell Taylor)
March 6, 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.
Keel Laid For Philadelphia (LPD 32) At Ingalls: WLOX reported on Tuesday that HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has begun construction of Philadelphia (LPD 32) following a keel-laying ceremony marking the official start of the ship’s build. Ship sponsor Maureen Paparo participated in the ceremony by having her initials welded onto the keel plate, a naval tradition that symbolizes the beginning of construction. The weld was performed by Ingalls structural welder Cory Dillon, who has worked at the shipyard for nearly 30 years. The keel serves as the backbone of the ship and represents one of the earliest milestones in the production process. Philadelphia will be the 16th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock built at Ingalls, which remains the nation’s sole provider of the class. Ingalls is currently building three Flight 2 LPDs and is under contract for three more after the Philadelphia.
HII-Nominal Announce Partnership: Executive Biz reported on Thursday that HII has partnered California-based Nominal to modernize data collection, validation and analysis processes supporting the production and testing of autonomous maritime platforms. The collaboration will focus on improving how engineering and test teams manage digital twin data, mission information and production metrics tied to HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles and ROMULUS unmanned surface vessels. Under the partnership, the companies will introduce standardized data workflows and automated testing processes designed to accelerate analysis and improve traceability across the vehicle development lifecycle. The initiative aims to provide engineering, quality and testing teams with a shared environment for collecting and analyzing information generated during vehicle assembly, testing and operational missions. Naval Technology reported on Thursday that by pairing the ROMULUS USV with the existing REMUS UUVs, users can address anti-submarine warfare sensing requirements while maintaining the safety of manned vessels at greater distances.
US Navy Assets Prove Key To Operation Epic Fury Success: The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the Pentagon is using naval ships and fighter jets as its primary tools during the Israel-U.S. joint operation launched on Saturday. Stars and Stripes reported Wednesday that U.S. aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and their strike groups were key during the first wave of the operation known as Epic Fury. U.S. naval forces are also keeping Iran’s navy pinned in port. U.S. forces have destroyed more than 20 Iranian navy ships and put a hole in the side of Tehran’s most operational submarine. The New York Times reported Wednesday that an unidentified U.S. Navy submarine sunk an Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka, utilizing a Mk-48 heavyweight torpedo, Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a Pentagon press briefing. Breaking Defense reported on Tuesday that U.S. Navy destroyers have launched cruise missiles at Iranian targets and intercepted counter attacks to protect allied assets. Those destroyers could also start accompanying tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz in an attempt to safeguard maritime trade in the region. There are 13 destroyers operating in the region, helping make up one of the largest fleets in the Middle East in decades.
| Social Media Highlight Of The Week
Posted Thursday on HII’s LinkedIn page:
“The clock’s ticking on time to nominate a military child for Our Military Kids’ Courageous Kids Contest! ⏰ HII is a proud sponsor of the organization’s 6th annual contest, which honors military children and teens from across the country throughout April’s #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild. If you know a military child age 1-18 who has demonstrated leadership or role model qualities in their communities, activities, and/or within their families in past year and who had a parent deployed with the National Guard or Reserve OR receiving care for combat-related injuries or illness in 2025, nominate them today. The contest closes this Sunday, March 8, 2026. |
Cyber Operations Employed As ‘First Movers’ During Epic Fury: Politico reported on Monday that U.S. Cyber Command was among the “first movers” in the initial wave of attacks over the weekend by American and Israeli forces, and helped to scramble communications in Iran. Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that as the strikes on Iran began, U.S. Cyber Command and U.S. Space Command started “layering non-kinetic effects” to aid in the operation that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials early Saturday. U.S. cyber and space forces have continued to operate since the attacks were launched, Caine added, to “disrupt, disorient and confuse the enemy.” Space News reported on Monday that cyber operations required tight coordination across air, maritime, cyber and space domains. “The United States, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and our reserve components integrated across our combat commands and began coordinated operations with the Israeli armed forces of an unprecedented scale,” he said. More than 100 aircraft launched in a synchronized wave that included fighters, tankers, airborne early warning aircraft, electronic attack platforms and unmanned systems. “This was a massive, overwhelming attack across all domains of warfare, striking more than 1,000 targets in the first 24 hours,” Caine said.
Lawmakers Weigh Defense Funding As Munitions Use Rises: Breaking Defense reported on Tuesday that lawmakers and Trump administration officials are considering supplemental defense funding as U.S. military operations against Iran raise concerns about munition stockpiles. Politico reported on Wednesday that the supplemental request to Congress could be close to $50 billion. The legislation would need the approval of seven Democrats in the Senate to pass, although it was unclear whether there’s enough political wind to push the bill past the finish line. U.S. forces have struck more than 1,700 targets in Iran using weapons including Tomahawk cruise missiles, while also firing Patrick and THAAD interceptors to counter Iranian attacks. Defense analysts warn the heavy use of both offensive and defensive missiles could strain inventories and take years to replace. Reuters reported on Tuesday that the pace of munition production will be on the agenda when U.S. defense contractors meet with administration officials at the White House on Friday. Companies including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon parent RTX, along with other key suppliers, received invites to the meeting. Breaking Defense reported on Wednesday that administration officials are expected to stress the need for industry to invest their own capital to accelerate production rates of key weapons ahead of final contract awards.
HII’s Weekly News Digest is produced by HII’s Corporate Communications team and posted to Homeport every Friday.
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