HII Announces Investment in New Integration and Test Facility to Support U.S. Army High-Energy Laser Weapon System

Rhea-AI Summary

HII (NYSE: HII) has announced a strategic capital investment in a new integration, production and test facility focused on supporting phase two of the U.S. Army's Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) weapon system program. The facility will enhance HII's existing laser capabilities and enable assembly and testing of HEL prototypes and subsystems.

The new facility will feature advanced test capabilities for power, thermal and laser performance, supporting the Army's modular open systems approach. This investment builds upon HII's existing collaboration with the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), which previously contracted HII to develop and test a HEL prototype for defeating unmanned aircraft systems.

Positive

• Strategic expansion of defense capabilities through new high-tech facility investment
• Strengthens existing partnership with U.S. Army in advanced weapons development
• Positions company for future production and deployment contracts in laser weapon systems

Negative

• Capital expenditure requirements for new facility may impact short-term financials
• Project success dependent on government funding and program continuation

McLEAN, Va., Sept. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today a capital investment in a new integration, production and test facility to support phase two of the U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) weapon system program. This facility will expand on HII’s existing laser capabilities and will enable assembly and factory acceptance testing of HEL prototypes and subsystems, reinforcing HII’s commitment to delivering next-generation technologies for the future force.

The new site will be equipped with advanced test capabilities for power, thermal and laser performance, and will serve as a critical enabler for validating HEL system readiness prior to field deployment.

“We are proud to expand our infrastructure in support of the Army’s HEL program,” said Grant Hagen, president of Mission Technologies’ Warfare Systems group. “This investment reflects our continued commitment to delivering scalable, interoperable, and mission-ready solutions that protect the warfighter and advance national security objectives.”

The production, integration and test facility capabilities align with the Army’s modular open systems approach, supporting rapid innovation, subsystem interchangeability, and supply chain resilience. It will play a key role in preparing HEL systems for low-rate initial production and future operational deployment.

An image accompanying this release is available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-announces-investment-in-new-integration-and-test-facility-to-support-u-s-army-high-energy-laser-weapon-system/.

This initiative builds on HII’s ongoing collaboration with the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), which previously awarded HII a contract to develop and test a HEL prototype capable of acquiring, tracking, and defeating Groups 1-3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

About HII

HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML 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

Contact:

Greg McCarthy
(202) 264-7126
gregory.j.mccarthy@hii-co.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99aaa27c-3ea3-4579-b651-754edbc5d3ee

FAQ

What is HII's new investment in laser weapon systems?

HII is investing in a new integration, production and test facility to support phase two of the U.S. Army's Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) weapon system program, enabling assembly and testing of HEL prototypes.

What capabilities will HII's new laser weapon facility have?

The facility will have advanced test capabilities for power, thermal and laser performance, supporting assembly and factory acceptance testing of HEL prototypes and subsystems.

How does this investment align with HII's military contracts?

This investment builds on HII's collaboration with the Army's RCCTO, which previously awarded HII a contract to develop and test HEL prototypes for defeating unmanned aircraft systems.

What is the purpose of HII's new laser weapon system?

The system is designed to acquire, track, and defeat Groups 1-3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), supporting the U.S. Army's next-generation defense capabilities.

How will HII's new facility support the U.S. Army's objectives?

The facility aligns with the Army's modular open systems approach, supporting rapid innovation, subsystem interchangeability, and supply chain resilience for future operational deployment.