HII is Awarded Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD Contract to Advance Homeland Defense
Rhea-AI Summary
HII (NYSE: HII) announced that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a Missile Defense Agency SHIELD indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a $151 billion ceiling on Jan. 13, 2026. The enterprise IDIQ covers a broad range of work areas to accelerate delivery of capabilities to the warfighter.
For HII, the award creates opportunities across directed energy, command-and-control integration, data and cyber operations, microelectronics, spectrum management, live/virtual/constructive training, logistics and sustainment, leveraging Mission Technologies’ expertise.
Positive
- $151 billion IDIQ ceiling expands long-term opportunity
- Broad scope opens work in directed energy and microelectronics
- Adds scale in command-and-control, cyber and training solutions
Negative
- IDIQ structure provides a ceiling, not guaranteed task-order revenue
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, HII gained 3.37%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +3.0% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 9 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $527M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $16.15B at that time. Trading volume was above average at 2.0x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HII gained 2.91% while key peers were mixed: DRS -2.41%, AVAV -2.84%, ERJ -0.54%, versus modest gains in KTOS 0.68% and WWD 1%. The move appears company-specific rather than sector-driven.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 12 | Facility expansion | Positive | +2.9% | Doubled U.K. unmanned facility to expand European support and hub role. |
| Jan 07 | Leadership visit | Positive | -3.0% | Hosted top Navy leaders and highlighted new battleship and SSC work. |
| Jan 05 | Shipyard tour | Positive | +1.1% | Showcased submarine and carrier work and throughput expansion efforts. |
| Dec 29 | Destroyer delivery | Positive | -1.1% | Delivered Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128) to U.S. Navy. |
| Dec 19 | SSC award | Positive | +4.3% | Selected to design and build future small surface combatant for U.S. Navy. |
Operational and contract-focused news has often led to positive reactions, though there are instances where favorable announcements were followed by modest pullbacks.
Over the past month, HII has reported several defense and capability milestones. On Dec. 19, 2025, it was selected to build the U.S. Navy’s future small surface combatant, with a 4.34% gain. Subsequent ship delivery and leadership-visit updates saw mixed reactions, including a -3.03% move after hosting senior Navy leaders. On Jan. 12, 2026, HII doubled its Portchester unmanned facility, coinciding with a 2.91% move. Today’s SHIELD contract award fits this pattern of recurring defense wins supporting an already strong trend.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights HII’s role in the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program, with an IDIQ contract ceiling of $151 billion spanning areas like directed energy, microelectronics, and command-and-control integration. It follows recent shipbuilding awards, facility expansions, and high-level defense engagement, underscoring a pipeline of strategic work. Key factors to monitor include task order awards under SHIELD, program execution across Mission Technologies, and how this complements HII’s existing naval platforms backlog.
Key Terms
indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (idiq) financial
directed energy technical
command and control system integration technical
microelectronics technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced its Mission Technologies division was awarded a contract for the Missile Defense Agency Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling of
This enterprise contract encompasses a broad range of work areas that allows for the rapid competition and delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter with increased speed and agility.
For HII, it opens opportunities to advance solutions in directed energy, command and control system integration, data and cyber operations, microelectronics, spectrum management, live/virtual/constructive training environments, logistics, and sustainment — all areas where Mission Technologies brings proven expertise.
“We’re honored to support MDA on this important SHIELD mission,” said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies. “It reinforces our commitment to advancing national security and protecting the homeland. SHIELD represents a critical element of the current vision for homeland defense, and we’re excited to bring our expertise in directed energy, microelectronics and systems integration to help meet these mission needs.”
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