HII hosts commission on the Navy’s future at Ingalls Shipbuilding

Pascagoula, Miss. — HII hosted members of the National Commission on the Future of the Navy (FNC) at its Ingalls Shipbuilding division Thursday as part of the panel’s nationwide review to develop recommendations to strengthen American seapower.

The visit offered commissioners a close look at shipbuilding capabilities, workforce training and industrial investments tied to future fleet requirements. As part of its study of naval strategy, resources, force structure and the industrial base, the commission is evaluating U.S. shipbuilding capacity and long-term production needs.

“A strong Navy relies on a capable and resilient industrial base,” Commissioner Mitch Waldman said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to see firsthand the significant industrial capacity and workforce capability that Ingalls Shipbuilding provides as the commission continues to assess the nation’s ability to design, build and sustain the future Navy.”

Commission members toured production and training areas including the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), the Virtual Reality Welding Lab and the Maritime Training Academy. The tour underscored the scale of Ingalls’ operations and infrastructure investments aimed at increasing throughput across the U.S. maritime industrial base.

“Ingalls shipbuilders bring unmatched skill and dedication to every ship we build, and it was a privilege to show the commission how their work in the shipyard directly supports the fleet,” said Eric Crooker, Ingalls vice president of program management. “With more than 87 years of experience building ships for the U.S. Navy, and over a dozen ships in active construction, our team’s dedication and upcoming ship deliveries demonstrate the strength of our workforce and the capability we provide to the nation.”

With 13 ships currently underway and three slated for delivery within the next year, Ingalls highlighted production capacity and workforce capabilities central to meeting future fleet needs. Recent advances through its distributed shipbuilding program further reflect the shipyard’s role within the broader maritime industrial base.

Congress established the FNC to conduct an independent review of naval force structure, shipbuilding performance and industrial-base requirements. Public hearings began in March 2026, with initial findings expected in January 2027.

HII describes its role as America’s largest shipbuilder, supporting national defense by building and maintaining Navy and Marine Corps ships and investing in advanced digital and automated production technologies, workforce development and industrial-base capacity to bolster fleet readiness and sustainment.