Core Insights - HII hosted Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at its Newport News Shipbuilding division as part of his "Arsenal of Freedom" industry tour, emphasizing the critical role of shipbuilders in national defense [1][4] Group 1: Company Operations - HII is focused on increasing shipbuilding throughput and has implemented a distributed shipbuilding initiative by partnering with 23 shipyards and fabricators to improve schedule adherence [5] - The company has modified shifts to support a 56-hour standard work week to enhance productivity and meet increased demand for ships [6] - HII's workforce consists of 44,000 employees, making it the largest industrial employer in Virginia and Mississippi [6] Group 2: Technological Advancements - During the visit, Hegseth observed how HII is leveraging technology and state-of-the-art facilities for serial-module production of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines [4] - HII is the largest producer of unmanned underwater vehicles for the U.S. Navy and the world, showcasing its commitment to advanced defense capabilities [6][8] Group 3: Strategic Goals - HII aims to build on its momentum in 2026 by improving operations and efficiency, which translates directly into enhanced capabilities for the Navy [4] - The company is exploring partnerships with international manufacturers to expand capacity, including the potential addition of another shipyard in the U.S. [5]