Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has been awarded a $10.5-million contract for the modernization planning of the US Navy’s Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers.
According to company president Kari Wilkinson, HII shipbuilders will provide the necessary support to upgrade the capabilities of the Zumwalts, particularly the USS Zumwalt and USS Michael Monsoor.
“Ingalls is honored to have been selected to deliver this new capability with our Navy and industry partners,” he said in a press release.
HII has reportedly invested nearly $1 billion in the infrastructure, facilities, and toolsets needed to improve the cutting-edge vessels.
Zumwalt Destroyers
Commissioned in 2016, the US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers are touted as the world’s most advanced military vessels.
They feature a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system and sophisticated warfighting technology and weaponry.
The destroyers’ primary task is to provide anti-aircraft support to the US Navy fleet.
However, they can also provide deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control.
In September, HII was also awarded a combat systems contract for the third and final Zumwalt-class destroyer, USS Lyndon B. Johnson.