Former Sen. Sam Nunn Visits Ingalls Shipbuilding for Update on His Namesake Destroyer

HII (NYSE: HII) hosted former U.S. Sen.

Rhea-AI Summary

HII (NYSE: HII) hosted former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and family at Ingalls Shipbuilding for a construction update and tour of the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

Flight III upgrades include the AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar and Aegis Baseline 10. Ingalls has delivered 36 Arleigh Burke destroyers and currently has four Flight III ships under construction, with several additional hulls in early pre-planning and material procurement.

Key Figures

Senate service length: 24 years Warheads deactivated: more than 7,600 nuclear warheads Destroyers delivered: 36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers +5 more

Senate service length

24 years

Sam Nunn’s service in the U.S. Senate

Warheads deactivated

more than 7,600 nuclear warheads

Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program

Destroyers delivered

36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers

Ingalls Shipbuilding deliveries to U.S. Navy

Flight III sequence

fifth Flight III destroyer

Future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) at Ingalls

Flight III under construction

four Flight III destroyers

Jeremiah Denton, George M. Neal, Sam Nunn, Thad Cochran

Ship sponsor count

one ship sponsor

Michelle Nunn as sponsor of DDG 133

Share price

$396.62

Price at time of context before article

52-week range

$177.42–$460.00

52-week low and high before article

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 30

5 events

1. Mar 30

   AI collaboration

   24h Move

   -3.3%

   MOU and demo with GrayMatter Robotics on physical AI in shipbuilding.

2. Mar 24

   Leadership changes

   24h Move

   +1.4%

   Appointment of two vice presidents at Newport News Shipbuilding.

3. Mar 19

   Workforce pipeline

   24h Move

   -2.2%

   Marine Corps leaders visit to advance veteran-to-shipbuilding careers.

4. Mar 16

   Training & education

   24h Move

   -1.2%

   Media advisory for Apprentice School commencement ceremony for 2025 class.

5. Mar 12

   Union agreement

   24h Move

   +0.2%

   Ratified Ingalls bargaining agreements with significant wage increases through 2031.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

arleigh burke-class destroyer, keel authentication ceremony, air and missile defense radar, aegis baseline 10 combat system, +1 more

5 terms

arleigh burke-class destroyer technical

"the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer..."

A class of large, multi-mission naval warships built to perform tasks such as air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and strike missions; think of it as a standardized, heavily equipped model used across a navy like a fleet of utility vehicles adapted for different missions. For investors, mentions of this ship class signal defense procurement, long-term service and upgrade contracts, and steady demand for manufacturers and suppliers tied to naval construction and sustainment.

keel authentication ceremony technical

"marked their return to Ingalls following the ship’s keel authentication ceremony."

A keel authentication ceremony is a formal, often public event that marks the start or a key milestone in building a large ship, where the first major structural section or symbolic keel is authenticated and recorded. For investors, it signals that a contract is moving from planning into physical construction, helping confirm project timelines, milestone payments and future revenue expectations—much like laying a house foundation shows tangible progress on a construction project.

air and missile defense radar technical

"including the AN/SPY 6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and the Aegis Baseline 10..."

An air and missile defense radar is a high-powered sensing system that detects, tracks and helps aim responses against incoming aircraft, drones and ballistic or cruise missiles. Think of it as a long-range security camera and early warning lighthouse for the sky: it gives military commanders time to make decisions and cue interceptors. For investors, radar programs drive defense spending, influence trade and technology partnerships, and affect the revenue and valuation of contractors and suppliers tied to national security.

aegis baseline 10 combat system technical

"and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that significantly enhance the U.S. Navy’s..."

An Aegis Baseline 10 combat system is an integrated shipboard suite that links radar, sensors, computers and weapons so a naval vessel can detect, track and engage airborne, surface and missile threats; think of it as the ship’s brain and eyes coordinating defensive and offensive actions. For investors, it matters because upgrades, production or export of this system drive defense contractor revenue, influence military procurement budgets and affect the value of companies tied to shipbuilding and weapons electronics.

integrated air and missile defense technical

"enhance the U.S. Navy’s integrated air and missile defense capabilities..."

A coordinated system of sensors, communications and weapons designed to detect, track and defeat hostile aircraft and missiles before they reach their targets. Think of it as a neighborhood watch, alarm network and firefighter force working together so one threat can be spotted early, relayed to the right responders and stopped quickly. Investors watch these programs because they drive long-term government contracts, export opportunities, maintenance and upgrade revenues, and geopolitical risk assessments that affect company valuations.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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PASCAGOULA, Miss., April 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division recently welcomed former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, his wife, Colleen Nunn, and their daughter and ship sponsor Michelle Nunn, for a visit to the shipyard. The visit included a construction update and tour of the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named in honor of the senator, and marked their return to Ingalls following the ship’s keel authentication ceremony.

“It was an honor to welcome Sen. Nunn and Michelle Nunn to Ingalls to see first-hand the progress taking place on DDG 133 and to highlight the ship’s advancing construction path toward launch,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette said. “Our shipbuilders take tremendous pride in building a ship that will carry Sen. Nunn’s name and his legacy of enduring commitment to national defense.”

During the 24 years of service in the U.S. Senate, Nunn became one of the nation’s most influential voices on defense policy. He spearheaded major initiatives including Department of Defense Reorganization Act and the Nunn‑Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which led to the deactivation of more than 7,600 nuclear warheads from former Soviet Union republics. The future USS Sam Nunn honors this legacy of strengthening America’s defense and advancing global security.

Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/former-sen-sam-nunn-visits-ingalls-shipbuilding-for-update-on-his-namesake-destroyer/.

Nunn expressed appreciation for the shipbuilders working to bring DDG 133 to life. “It is exciting and deeply humbling to see this powerful destroyer taking shape and to witness the exceptional craftsmanship of the Ingalls team,” Nunn said. “I am grateful for the vital role Ingalls plays in ensuring our nation’s strength and readiness.”

Future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) is the fifth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be built at Ingalls. Flight III destroyers incorporate substantial design and system upgrades including the AN/SPY 6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that significantly enhance the U.S. Navy’s integrated air and missile defense capabilities and ensure readiness against evolving threats well into the 21st century.

To date, Ingalls Shipbuilding has delivered 36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy, including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) and Ted Stevens (DDG 128). The four Flight III destroyers currently under construction include: Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and Thad Cochran (DDG 135). Additionally, Ingalls is in early pre-planning and material procurement phases for John F. Lehman (DDG 137), Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139), Ernest E. Evans (DDG 141), Charles French (DDG 142), Richard J. Danzig (DDG 143), Intrepid (DDG 145) and Robert Kerrey (DDG 146).

About HII

HII is America’s largest shipbuilder, delivering the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain mission technologies, including unmanned systems, to U.S. and allied defense customers. HII is the largest producer of unmanned underwater vehicles for the U.S. Navy and the world.

With a more than 140-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII builds and integrates defense capabilities extending from the core fleet to C6ISR, AI/ML, EW and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:

• HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
• HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
• HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
• HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
• HII on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearehii
  
  

Contact:
Kimberly Aguillard
Kimberly.K.Aguillard@HII-co.com
(228) 355-5663

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c4fdca5-f68d-4661-8557-f76fb619755a

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did HII announce about the USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) construction status on April 3, 2026?

HII said the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) is actively under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding. According to the company, the visit included a construction update and tour following the ship's keel authentication ceremony.

Which Flight III capabilities does DDG 133 include that affect HII (HII) work?

DDG 133 will incorporate the AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system. According to the company, these Flight III design and system upgrades enhance integrated air and missile defense capabilities.

How many Arleigh Burke-class destroyers has Ingalls delivered and how many Flight III are under construction?

Ingalls has delivered 36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to date and has four Flight III destroyers under construction. According to the company, delivered ships include the first Flight III hulls DDG 125 and DDG 128.

What did Sen. Sam Nunn say about his namesake destroyer during the April 3, 2026 visit?

Sen. Nunn expressed appreciation for Ingalls' craftsmanship and said it was humbling to see the destroyer taking shape. According to the company, he praised the shipbuilders' role in national strength and readiness.

Which additional Arleigh Burke hulls are in early planning or material procurement at Ingalls as of April 3, 2026?

Ingalls is in early pre-planning or material procurement for multiple hulls including DDG 137, 139, 141, 142, 143, 145, and 146. According to the company, these follow the current production schedule after ships already under construction.