Huntington Ingalls’ nautical drone business gets boost from Virginia Beach-based company Dave Ress, The Daily Press
Huntington Ingalls Industries is taking another step in its bid to carve out a role making unmanned vessels.
The parent of Newport News Shipbuilding is expanding in this business just as the Navy is staking much of its long-term future on unmanned surface vessels and submarines.
HII’s latest move is the purchase of a unit of Spatial Integrated Systems Inc. that specializes in the systems that allow unmanned surface vessels to operate autonomously that is, like a driver-less car.
The business links sensors with the gear that helps unmanned vessels change directions or complete a mission. The systems also allow drones to communicate with one another. The Virginia Beach-based operation employs about 50 people. HII did not disclose terms of its purchase.
The USS Ford continues to have operational problems, which could have a profound effect on the Navy's future plans, with implications for Hampton Roads.
USNI News
Home » Budget Industry » General Dynamics CEO Says Electric Boat Ready To Meet ‘Increased Demand’ for Submarines
General Dynamics CEO Says Electric Boat Ready To Meet ‘Increased Demand’ for Submarines
January 27, 2021 3:29 PM
USS Vermont (SSN-792) transits the Thames River while conducting routine operations on Oct. 15, 2020. US Navy Photo
General Dynamics is equipped to meet the Navy’s “increased demand” for submarines, the company’s chief executive officer told investors on Wednesday.
With a multi-billion dollar contract for the Virginia Block V program, the company’s Marine Systems business hit revenue records in Fiscal Year 2020. While the Trump administration forecasted more submarine work in the coming years, it’s unclear if the new Biden administration will continue on the same shipbuilding path. But with the Columbia-class program now under construction at Electric Boat, General Dynamics anticipates more growth in the next few years.