HII Marks Oklahoma (SSN 802) Construction Milestone at Newport News Shipbuilding

Rhea-AI Summary

HII (NYSE: HII) announced that Newport News Shipbuilding has achieved pressure hull complete on the Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802) on Dec. 16, 2025. Pressure hull complete means all hull sections are joined into a single, watertight unit, a key production milestone.

Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the first of Block V, and the 14th Virginia-class submarine delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding. The ship’s sponsor is Mary “Molly” Slavonic. NNS designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines that provide enhanced firepower, maneuverability and stealth for the U.S. Navy.

Positive

• Pressure hull complete achieved for Oklahoma (SSN 802)
• First of Block V Virginia-class submarine
• Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class submarine
• Oklahoma is the 14th Virginia-class delivered by NNS

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Submarine hull number SSN 802 Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma identifier

Virginia-class count 29th Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast attack submarine

Block V sequence 1st Oklahoma is the first Virginia-class submarine of Block V

NNS deliveries 14th Oklahoma is the 14th Virginia-class submarine to be delivered by NNS

Pearl Harbor casualties 429 sailors and Marines USS Oklahoma (BB 37) fatalities cited in memorial reference

Attack date Dec. 7, 1941 Date of Pearl Harbor attack referenced in memorial context

Market Reality Check

$321.29 Last Close

Volume Volume 330,485 vs 20-day average 378,722 (relative volume 0.87). normal

Technical Trading 1.25% below 52-week high 333.31 and above 200-day MA at 255.86.

Peers on Argus

HII is up 0.69% while key peers DRS (-2.83%), AVAV (-2.15%), KTOS (-2.64%) and ERJ (-0.54%) trade lower, with only WWD slightly positive at 0.15%, indicating stock-specific strength rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 11	AUKUS visit	Positive	+1.1%	Australian delegation visit underscoring AUKUS-related submarine and workforce collaboration.
Dec 11	USV milestone	Positive	+1.1%	ROMULUS USV prototype reaching 30% completion and staying on schedule.
Dec 09	Sub keel laying	Positive	-0.3%	Keel laying ceremony for Virginia-class submarine Barb (SSN 804).
Dec 09	Supply partnership	Positive	-0.3%	Expanded partnership with Babcock to build Virginia-class Block VI assemblies.
Dec 08	EW product debut	Positive	+3.7%	Launch of GRIMM spectrum dominance solution at AOC 2025 convention.

Pattern Detected

Recent defense and submarine-related news has generally seen positive or modestly positive reactions, with occasional small divergences on partnership announcements.

Recent Company History

This announcement continues a series of naval and defense-related updates from HII. In early December 2025, the company highlighted GRIMM spectrum dominance technology, AUKUS-focused shipyard visits, and new Virginia-class construction milestones such as the keel laying of Barb (SSN 804). A partnership expansion with Babcock supported future Virginia-class Block VI work. Today’s pressure-hull-complete milestone for Oklahoma (SSN 802) reinforces Newport News Shipbuilding’s ongoing role in U.S. Navy submarine programs.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a key production milestone as Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802) reaches “pressure hull complete,” marking formation of a single watertight unit. It reinforces Newport News Shipbuilding’s role in delivering the 29th Virginia-class and first Block V submarine, consistent with recent submarine and AUKUS-related updates. Observers may track subsequent construction milestones, delivery timing, and additional Navy contract or partnership developments for context on program execution.

Key Terms

Virginia-class technical

"significant construction milestone for Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802)"

A Virginia-class is a type of modern U.S. Navy fast-attack submarine powered by nuclear reactors, built for stealthy intelligence gathering, surveillance, and offensive missions. For investors, it matters because building and maintaining these complex vessels drives long-term government contracts, supply-chain demand, and technology development for defense contractors — similar to how a flagship product can anchor a company’s revenue and future sales pipeline.

pressure hull technical

"Oklahoma is now “pressure hull complete,” which signifies all of the hull sections"

A pressure hull is the strong, sealed shell of a vessel or container designed to hold a safe internal environment when subjected to high external or internal pressure, as in submarines, deep-sea vehicles, or pressurized modules. Investors care because the integrity of a pressure hull affects safety, regulatory certification, production cost, maintenance, liability and the useful life of equipment—similar to how the strength of a building’s foundation determines long-term value and risk.

fast attack submarine technical

"Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the first of Block V"

A fast attack submarine is a compact, high-speed naval vessel built to operate quietly underwater for hunting enemy ships and submarines, gathering intelligence, protecting carrier groups, and supporting special operations. Investors watch programs to build or upgrade these submarines because they drive government defense spending, create demand for propulsion, sensors and electronics suppliers, and can signal rising geopolitical tension—think of it as a high-performance race car that steers demand in the defense supply chain.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has reached a significant construction milestone for Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802).

Oklahoma is now “pressure hull complete,” which signifies all of the hull sections have joined to form a single, watertight unit.

“Achieving pressure hull complete on Oklahoma highlights our commitment to accelerating production and delivering unmatched capability to our Navy customer,” said Jason Ward, NNS vice president of new construction submarine programs. “Our dedicated shipbuilders, Navy teammates and suppliers from across the country, are working hand-in-hand to bring Oklahoma to life.”

Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the first of Block V and the 14^th to be delivered by NNS.

Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-marks-oklahoma-ssn-802-construction-milestone-at-newport-news-shipbuilding/.

The ship’s sponsor is Mary “Molly” Slavonic, an Oklahoma native. Slavonic has long supported both the state of Oklahoma and the Navy. She worked alongside her husband, former acting Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, in building the USS Oklahoma (BB 37) Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to honor the 429 sailors and Marines who died aboard the battleship during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

NNS designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. The advanced capabilities of Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth.

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:

Todd Corillo
Todd.T.Corillo@hii-co.com
(757) 688-3220

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71aead06-299b-4269-89cc-c49933966684

FAQ

What does pressure hull complete mean for HII's Oklahoma (SSN 802)?

It means all hull sections are joined into a single, watertight unit, marking a major construction milestone.

When did HII announce the pressure hull completion for Oklahoma (SSN 802)?

HII announced the milestone on Dec. 16, 2025.

How many Virginia-class submarines has Newport News Shipbuilding delivered including Oklahoma (SSN 802)?

Oklahoma is the 14th Virginia-class submarine delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding.

What is significant about Oklahoma being the first of Block V for HII (NYSE: HII)?

Being first of Block V identifies Oklahoma as the initial submarine in a new block with updated design and production sequencing.

Who is the ship sponsor for Oklahoma (SSN 802)?

The ship’s sponsor is Mary “Molly” Slavonic, an Oklahoma native.