HII Completes Builder’s Sea Trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000)
Rhea-AI Summary
HII (NYSE: HII) reported that Ingalls Shipbuilding completed builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on Jan. 21, 2026 following an extensive modernization availability that began after the ship arrived at Pascagoula in Aug. 2023.
Key work completed includes integration of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system and replacement of the original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with new missile tubes; the ship was undocked in Dec. 2024 before sea trials. Ingalls said similar CPS integration is underway for USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), while USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is scheduled for a future CPS availability.
Positive
- Completed builder's sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000)
- Integrated CPS weapon system and replaced twin 155mm guns with missile tubes
- Undocking and trial timeline: arrived Aug 2023, undocked Dec 2024, trials completed
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Sector context points to a stock-specific move: HII is down 2.42% while only one peer (KTOS) appeared in momentum scanners, moving -7.429999858140945% without related news, and other peers show mixed, smaller moves.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 | Defense contract award | Positive | +3.4% | Large SHIELD IDIQ contract with $151 billion ceiling announced. |
| Jan 13 | Technology demonstration | Positive | +3.4% | Successful Sea Launcher REMUS autonomous launch and recovery demo. |
| Jan 12 | Facility expansion | Positive | +2.9% | Doubling Portchester UK unmanned facility for REMUS and ROMULUS support. |
| Jan 07 | Leadership visit | Positive | -3.0% | Top Navy leaders toured Ingalls; future SSC work and $1B+ investments noted. |
| Jan 05 | Leadership visit | Positive | +1.1% | Secretary of War tour highlighting >40 ships in work and throughput efforts. |
Recent defense and capability wins have often coincided with positive price reactions, with one notable divergence on leadership/visit news.
Over the past few weeks, HII has reported several defense-focused milestones. On Jan. 13, a Missile Defense Agency SHIELD IDIQ award with a $151 billion ceiling and a REMUS Sea Launcher demonstration both saw shares up about 3.37%. A European unmanned expansion on Jan. 12 also aligned with a 2.91% gain. Leadership visits and shipyard investment news on Jan. 7 diverged with a -3.03% move, while a Newport News tour on Jan. 5 aligned with a modest 1.13% rise.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights successful builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) after a major CPS weapon system modernization, positioning it as the Navy’s first warship with hypersonic capabilities. It follows a series of recent defense wins and capability expansions for HII, including large IDIQ contracts and unmanned systems advances. Investors may watch for follow-on milestones on USS Lyndon B. Johnson and USS Michael Monsoor, along with future contract updates linked to these upgraded platforms.
Key Terms
hypersonic technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully completed builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000). The Ingalls and Navy team conducted a comprehensive series of at-sea tests following an extensive modernization availability as the Navy’s first Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) platform.
“We have achieved a pivotal milestone with our Navy and industry partners to advance this complex modernization work that will set a precedent for the Zumwalt class,” said Brian Blanchette, Ingalls Shipbuilding president. “I’m very proud of the team effort and their critical role to advance the U.S. Navy’s first warship with hypersonic capabilities.”
USS Zumwalt, the lead ship of the Zumwalt-class destroyers, arrived at the Pascagoula shipyard in August 2023 for modernization. Shortly after arrival, the ship was moved onto land where the Ingalls team completed major technology upgrades. This included integrating the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system and replacing the original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with new missile tubes. In December 2024, USS Zumwalt was undocked and underwent further preparations for operational readiness.
An image accompanying this release is available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-completes-builders-sea-trials-for-uss-zumwalt-ddg-1000/.
Additionally, USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) is also undergoing CPS weapon system integration at Ingalls and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is scheduled to receive the CPS system during a future availability.
Zumwalt-class destroyers feature a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and is equipped with the most advanced warfighting technology and weaponry. These ships will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions while allowing Navy to evolve with new systems and missions.
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:
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/dfddaacb-c901-4790-b2c7-50e45347fddb
FAQ
What did HII announce about USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on Jan. 21, 2026?
What weapon changes were made to USS Zumwalt in the modernization by HII?
When did USS Zumwalt arrive at Ingalls for modernization and when was it undocked?
Which other Zumwalt-class ships are undergoing CPS work at Ingalls as of Jan. 21, 2026?
What capabilities will Zumwalt-class destroyers have after HII's upgrades?
How does HII describe the significance of the Zumwalt modernization for investors following the Jan. 21, 2026 announcement?
