PASCAGOULA, Miss., Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that Fatina Brave has been appointed vice president of infrastructure and sustainability at its Ingalls Shipbuilding division. Brave succeeds Eric Crooker, who has transitioned into the role of vice president of program management at Ingalls, succeeding George Nungesser who is retiring at the beginning of February after 37 years of service to the company. Brave will oversee all environmental, health, safety, security, facil ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Global Aerospace & Defense - **Focus**: US Defense Stocks and Budget Outlook for 2026 and Beyond Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Performance of Defense Stocks**: US defense stocks outperformed in early 2026 amid rising geopolitical tensions and President Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, although uncertainty remains high [1][7] 2. **Budget Dynamics**: The 2026 DoD Appropriations Bill has been drafted, increasing investment funding by 27% compared to 2025, marking the largest increase in over 20 years. However, there are concerns regarding the clarity of future budgets beyond 2026 [4][24] 3. **Geopolitical Tensions**: Recent geopolitical events have calmed but remain a significant factor influencing defense budgets. Ongoing threats from countries like Iran, China, and Russia continue to exert upward pressure on defense spending [4][17][18] 4. **Executive Orders Impact**: President Trump's Executive Order restricts defense companies from share repurchases and limits executive compensation, which could pose short-term risks to stock prices [20][21] 5. **Future Budget Projections**: The proposed $1.5 trillion budget for 2027 is viewed as unlikely, with expectations for a budget increase but significant challenges in gaining Congressional support [22][23] Company-Specific Insights L3Harris - **Rating**: Outperform, Target Price: $398 - **Strengths**: High growth areas in space and rocket propulsion, strong margins in Communication Systems, and rising backlogs [8][34] - **Recent Developments**: Plans to spin off the Missile Solutions business through an IPO, supported by a $1 billion investment from the US government [35][36] Northrop Grumman (NOC) - **Rating**: Market-Perform, Target Price: $727 - **Strengths**: Strong positioning in nuclear deterrence and next-gen space programs, with growth expected from B-21 and other key programs [39] - **Challenges**: Issues with big programs and delays affecting growth potential [39] Lockheed Martin (LMT) - **Rating**: Market-Perform, Target Price: $586 - **Strengths**: High growth in Missiles & Fire Control, demand for tactical missiles [41] - **Concerns**: Execution issues and slower growth outlook due to challenges in the F-35 program [41][42] General Dynamics (GD) - **Rating**: Market-Perform, Target Price: $398 - **Strengths**: Rising demand for Navy shipbuilding and strong performance in Gulfstream business jets [46][47] - **Challenges**: Supply chain issues affecting throughput and margins [47] Raytheon (RTX) - **Rating**: Market-Perform, Target Price: $189 - **Strengths**: Growing backlog and international sales [54] - **Concerns**: Identified by President Trump as underperforming in meeting DoD demand [55] HII - **Rating**: Market-Perform, Target Price: $412 - **Strengths**: Improving shipbuilding outlook and strong backlog [49][51] - **Challenges**: Historical throughput disappointments and supply chain issues [50] Additional Important Points - **Investment Implications**: The overall dynamics are positive for defense stocks, but near-term risks related to executive orders and cash deployment policies could impact stock performance [7][33] - **Congressional Concerns**: There are significant questions regarding the Golden Dome funding and the new DoD acquisition strategy, with Congress demanding clarity on spending and performance metrics [26][27][28] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the current state of the aerospace and defense industry, specific company insights, and broader implications for investors.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division is marking 140 years of service to the nation today. On Jan. 28, 1886, Collis P. Huntington, a businessman whose investments enabled completion of the U.S. transcontinental railroad, turned his focus to shipbuilding, establishing what was first chartered as Chesapeake Dry Dock and Construction Co. and was then renamed Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Several years later, the shipyard deliv ...

Core Viewpoint - HII has appointed Daniel Marks as vice president of contracts and pricing at its Ingalls Shipbuilding division, succeeding Stephen Fitts, who has moved to vice president of supply chain management [1][2]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - Daniel Marks takes over the role of vice president of contracts and pricing, responsible for contract administration, estimating and pricing, and export/import licensing and compliance [2]. - Stephen Fitts has been appointed vice president of supply chain management, succeeding Scott Weldon, who retired after 25 years with the company [1]. Group 2: Daniel Marks' Background - Marks has been with HII since 2007, starting as an analyst in cost estimating and progressing through various roles including cost estimating manager and director of business management [5]. - He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Millsaps College and a master's in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi [6]. Group 3: Company Overview - HII is the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. with over 135 years of history in advancing national security [8]. - The company employs a workforce of 44,000 and focuses on delivering powerful ships and all-domain solutions to protect peace and freedom globally [7][8].

Group 1: Market Overview - Defense stocks have recently outperformed the broader market due to geopolitical uncertainty and changing policy expectations in Washington, with sustained demand for military equipment and technology upgrades [1][5] - Rising global security concerns are expected to keep defense spending a priority for major governments, supporting long-term defense programs [1] Group 2: Policy Influence - President Trump's emphasis on a stronger U.S. military and increased defense spending has revived expectations for higher budget allocations in missile defense and next-generation military technologies, positively impacting sector sentiment [2] - Trump's tougher stance on defense contractors has created volatility but is viewed as reinforcing the strategic importance of defense capabilities, leading to increased interest in companies with strong order backlogs [3] Group 3: Investment Appeal - Defense stocks are considered relatively defensive investments due to long-term government contracts providing revenue visibility, making them attractive amid economic growth concerns and market volatility [4] - Companies like Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS), Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Teledyne Technologies (TDY) are highlighted for their strong earnings growth expectations and Zacks Rank of 2 [7][8][9] Group 4: Future Outlook - Market participants will monitor U.S. budget negotiations and congressional responses to proposed defense increases, with global security developments and Trump's influence on defense policy being central drivers for future gains [5]

Core Insights - HII celebrates the one-year anniversary of Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations in Goose Creek, South Carolina, highlighting the facility's contributions to U.S. Navy programs and community engagement [1][2]. Group 1: Production and Operations - Since the acquisition in January 2025, NNS has ramped up production at the Charleston facility, delivering its first unit within 40 days and exceeding production targets for 2025 [2]. - The Charleston Operations spans 45 acres with over 480,000 square feet of manufacturing space, strategically located within South Carolina's maritime ecosystem, providing barge and rail access and the potential for expansion [5]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - HII's distributed shipbuilding initiative aims to increase shipbuilding throughput to meet rising demand, partnering with 23 shipyards and fabricators beyond traditional labor markets [6]. - The company is exploring partnerships with international manufacturers to expand capacity, including the potential addition of another shipyard in the U.S. [6]. Group 3: Workforce and Community Engagement - NNS President Kari Wilkinson emphasized the importance of teamwork across locations, stating that the collective efforts contribute to significant historical changes in shipbuilding [2]. - Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker acknowledged the crucial role of shipbuilders in increasing submarine and carrier shipbuilding capacity, highlighting the importance of leveraging local and national talent [5].

Core Insights - HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division has successfully completed builder's sea trials for the USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), marking a significant milestone in the modernization of the Navy's first Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) platform [1][2] Group 1: Modernization and Capabilities - The USS Zumwalt underwent extensive modernization, including the integration of the CPS weapon system and the replacement of the original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with new missile tubes [2] - The Zumwalt-class destroyers are equipped with advanced technologies such as electric propulsion systems, wave-piercing tumblehome hulls, and stealth designs, enabling them to perform a variety of missions including deterrence and power projection [5] Group 2: Company Overview - HII is recognized as the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S., with a history of over 135 years in advancing national security [6] - The company employs a workforce of 44,000 and focuses on delivering a wide range of defense capabilities, including ships, unmanned systems, and cyber solutions [6]

Group 1 - Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII) is recognized as one of the 10 Best Defense Stocks to Buy in the S&P 500, with a recent price target increase from Citigroup to $450 from $376, maintaining a Buy rating [1] - Analysts project a 14% downside for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) as part of broader adjustments in the aerospace and defense sector, although they expect ongoing momentum in the first half of the year [2] - As of January 19, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is rated as a Moderate Buy, with a one-year average share price target of $368.33, indicating a downside of 13.52% [3] Group 2 - The company's Mission Technologies division secured a significant indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD program, valued at a ceiling of $151 billion, aimed at enhancing homeland defense [4] - Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is noted for its expertise in shipbuilding and has been listed among the Best Defense Dividend Stocks to Buy [5]

Core Insights - HII's Mission Technologies division has been awarded a 10-year, $25.4 billion contract under the Advanced Technology Support Program V (ATSP5) to provide engineering solutions for electronics and software issues [1][2]. Group 1: Contract Details - The ATSP5 contract, awarded by the Defense Microelectronics Activity, is utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies for rapid access to advanced microelectronics and engineering support [2]. - The contract aims to address operational challenges due to obsolescence and expedite the deployment of advanced technologies [2]. Group 2: Company Capabilities - HII's Mission Technologies division emphasizes the importance of a reliable supply of microelectronics for enhancing warfighter survivability and mission success [3]. - The scope of ATSP5 includes hardware and software development, covering studies, analysis, design, simulation, prototyping, integration, testing, and limited production [3][4]. - HII's engineers specialize in reverse engineering and microelectronics assurance, focusing on redeploying previously obsolete systems critical to national security [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - HII is recognized as the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S., with a history of over 135 years in advancing national security [5][6]. - The company provides a wide range of capabilities, including ships, unmanned systems, cyber solutions, and artificial intelligence/machine learning technologies [6].

Industry Overview - Global industrial automation is projected to reach $233.6 billion in 2026, driven by Industry 4.0 mandates focusing on re-shoring and energy-efficient production [1] - Smart grid deployments are expected to reach $52.55 billion this year, modernizing urban infrastructure through autonomous sensing [2] - The microreactor commercialization cycle is anticipated to reach $198.88 billion in 2026, as Gen-IV energy systems redefine grid independence for critical infrastructure [3][4] Company Highlights - VisionWave Holdings Inc. is developing a multi-domain autonomy ecosystem, integrating advanced radio-frequency sensing and computational acceleration with industrial robotic platforms [3] - The company is advancing its qSpeed system-level integration architecture, which aims to reduce decision-making latency in modern warfare scenarios [4][5] - VisionWave has secured a U.S. patent for its proprietary radio-frequency sensing and AI platform, ensuring a competitive edge in the space-enabled counter-UAS market [7] - The company is expanding into Southern Europe through its subsidiary, Solar Drone Ltd., with a strategic distribution agreement covering Italy and Spain [8] - VisionWave plans to invest up to $10 million in U.S. development over the next 6-12 months to advance qSpeed toward production readiness [9] Other Company Developments - Huntington Ingalls Industries demonstrated capabilities of its AI-enabled unmanned surface vessels, validating coordinated operations between surface and subsurface autonomous systems [10][11] - Amentum played a key role in NASA's Artemis II mission, successfully rolling out the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft [13][14] - AeroVironment launched the Mission Specialist Wraith, an unmanned underwater vehicle designed for advanced imaging and navigation [15][16] - BWX Technologies announced the arrival of TRISO nuclear fuel for the Project Pele microreactor, marking a significant step toward Gen-IV nuclear power [17][18]