NORFOLK, Va. — Production at a new site for HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division (NNS) is underway, and leaders say it will play a vital role in current and future shipbuilding projects.
The new campus is located at the Fairwinds Landing development in Norfolk’s Lambert’s Point area.
“For the past several months, we have constructed steel panels at this very site," Newport News Shipbuilding VP for aircraft carrier Enterprise, Doris Miller, and future carriers said.
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With a crowd of dignitaries looking on Monday, a large crane lifted a panel and flipped it over to demonstrate how the panels are worked on.
The goal is to eventually be able to produce 10 panels a month at the site.
“This enables us to really build aircraft carriers here but it does open the opportunity to build submarines and gives more footprint to the submarine community back at our Newport News campus," said Smith.
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The new campus will support more effective and efficient shipbuilding.
“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," Smith said. “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.”
Newport News Shipbuilding is initially investing about $25 million to expand to Norfolk, but the investment could increase to around $100 million over the next five years as Newport News Shipbuilding continues to expand work with the U.S. Navy.
“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 not only for them but hopefully it’ll attract more people to the shipbuilding business," said U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Program Exec. Officer Rear Admr. Casey Moton.
Moton emphasized the work Newport News Shipbuilding is doing is very important for the U.S. Navy.
“Aircraft carriers bring an incredible flexibility, they always have. It’s extremely important. There’s probably no better example than you can see in our response to events in the world right now," Moton said.
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Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander said the expansion sends an important message about the city.
“HII’s continued investment in our community is a testament to the strength of our local workforce," said Alexander.
“This new Norfolk campus will help us grow our business and positively impact Hampton Roads," said Smith. "Norfolk, we look forward to being your new neighbor."
The Norfolk site was made possible by HII's investment and Navy industrial base funding appropriated by Congress.
