HII Newport News Shipbuilding has established a new campus in Norfolk, Virginia, to further enhance its capability to support US Navy vessel construction programs.
The center will be in Fairwinds Landing and is already in use for steel panel fabrication for the future USS Enterprise (CVN 80), the service’s third Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier.
Alongside the Enterprise project, the campus will eventually support other ongoing programs, such as nuclear-powered submarine production.
HII wrote that the investment to launch the Norfolk hub was made by the US Navy.
“This is a prime example of how we’re innovating, thinking differently and improving efficiency when it comes to building the aircraft carriers our nation needs,” Newport News Shipbuilding Aircraft Carrier VP Les Smith stated.
“Coupling our energized workforce with this additional capacity is already yielding positive results and we expect to see great synergy as a result of this intentional investment.”
Boosting the Workforce
Local officials, US Department of Defense personnel, and Fairlead leaders attended the center’s opening ceremony earlier this week.
At the event, US Navy Aircraft Carriers Program Executive Officer Rear Adm. Casey Moton emphasized the importance of industry teams and communities in supporting the nation’s shipbuilding efficiencies.
“I think the fact that we’re able to both expand capacity but at the same time make it easier for employees that work in this area with shorter commutes, good parking, is not only good for them, but hopefully it’ll attract more people to the shipbuilding business,” Morton said.
“The importance of our aircraft carriers and what you all do here, and our Navy’s ability to project power from five acres of sovereign US territory, anywhere in the world has never been more clear.”
Supporting the Local Economy
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander commented on the city’s partnership with HII during the ceremony.
“As an essential corporate citizen in our region, HII and its remarkable shipbuilders serve as a vital force in protecting our national security and shaping the future of defense,” he said.
“We thank HII for choosing to invest in Norfolk and reaffirming our commitment to workforce development by bringing dozens of highly-sought after jobs to our city.”
