HII Hosts Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at Newport News Shipbuilding to Highlight National Defense and Shipbuilding Efforts

HII (NYSE: HII) welcomed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to its Newport News Shipbuilding division on January 5, 2026, as part of his nationwide “Arsenal of Freedom” industry tour, underscoring the vital role of American shipbuilding in national defense and security. During the visit, Hegseth met with HII leadership, shipbuilders, and sailors, emphasizing the direct connection between their work and the safety of U.S. service members. He told workers, “Our warfighters cannot win without you… shoulder to shoulder,” highlighting their commitment and craftsmanship. HII CEO and President Chris Kastner expressed appreciation for Hegseth’s visit and reiterated the company’s ongoing efforts to increase hiring, improve worker retention and proficiency, and boost shipbuilding throughput. With over 40 ships in active construction or modernization across HII’s shipyards, the company is focused on building momentum in 2026. Secretary Hegseth toured Columbia‑ and Virginia‑class submarines in various stages of construction and the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) during final outfitting and testing. To meet growing demand, HII has launched a distributed shipbuilding initiative, partnering with 23 additional shipyards and exploring further capacity expansion, including potential new U.S. facilities. In 2025, Newport News workers adopted a 56‑hour standard work week to strengthen production. As the largest industrial employer in Virginia and Mississippi, HII employs approximately 44,000 people and produces critical capabilities for the U.S. Navy and global defense. #HIIShipbuilding #PeteHegseth #NationalDefense #ArsenalOfFreedom #SlimScan #GrowthStocks #CANSLIM