HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Marks 140 Years of Service to the Nation

Rhea-AI Summary

HII (NYSE: HII) celebrates 140 years of Newport News Shipbuilding on Jan. 28, 2026, tracing origins to Jan. 28, 1886 when Collis P. Huntington founded the yard.

The shipyard has delivered more than 800 ships, builds and maintains nuclear aircraft carriers and submarines, spans 550 acres along two miles of the James River, employs 26,000, and maintains sites in Norfolk, VA and Goose Creek, SC.

News Market Reaction

+0.61%

1 alert

+0.61% News Effect

On the day this news was published, HII gained 0.61%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Years of service: 140 years Ships delivered: More than 800 ships Yard size: 550 acres +2 more

5 metrics

Years of service 140 years Newport News Shipbuilding anniversary

Ships delivered More than 800 ships Cumulative deliveries since founding

Yard size 550 acres Newport News Shipbuilding footprint

River frontage Two miles Length along the James River

Employees 26,000 shipbuilders Workforce at Newport News Shipbuilding

Market Reality Check

Price: $418.78 Vol: Volume 389,728 vs 20-day ...

low vol

$418.78 Last Close

Volume Volume 389,728 vs 20-day average 613,647 (relative volume 0.64x) indicates lighter trading ahead of this anniversary release. low

Technical Price $422.79 is trading above the 200-day MA of $280.96, near the 52-week high of $432 and well above the 52-week low of $158.88.

Peers on Argus

HII gained 2.23% while sector peers were mixed: DRS +3.01%, AVAV +2.44%, KTOS +6...

1 Down

HII gained 2.23% while sector peers were mixed: DRS +3.01%, AVAV +2.44%, KTOS +6.3%, and ERJ/WWD down -0.54%/-0.9%. Momentum scanner only flagged TXT at -4.6%, suggesting stock-specific factors rather than a broad sector move.

Common Catalyst One peer, AVAV, reported a new U.S. Air Force task order, highlighting ongoing defense contract flow across the group.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 22 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 22	Operations expansion	Positive	-1.3%	Charleston Operations one-year mark and production outperformance at new facility.
Jan 21	Program milestone	Positive	+1.7%	Completion of builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt after modernization.
Jan 20	Contract selection	Positive	-2.4%	Mission Technologies named on ATSP5 advanced microelectronics IDIQ contract.
Jan 13	Major IDIQ award	Positive	+3.4%	Award of SHIELD IDIQ with a <b>$151 billion</b> ceiling from Missile Defense Agency.
Jan 13	Tech demonstration	Positive	+3.4%	Successful automated launch and recovery demo for REMUS AUV using Sea Launcher.

Pattern Detected

Recent defense and contract wins generally saw positive reactions, but there were notable selloffs on some strong news, indicating mixed follow-through on positive announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the past weeks, HII reported several operational and contract milestones. On Jan 13, a large SHIELD IDIQ award and a REMUS Sea Launcher demo both coincided with a +3.37% move. On Jan 20, selection for a 10-year, $25.4 billion microelectronics IDIQ was followed by a -2.42% reaction. Shipbuilding progress, including USS Zumwalt sea trials on Jan 21 and Charleston Operations expansion on Jan 22, saw mixed price responses. Today’s 140-year milestone fits into this narrative as brand/legacy reinforcement rather than a direct financial catalyst.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Newport News Shipbuilding’s 140 years of operations, with over 800 ship...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Newport News Shipbuilding’s 140 years of operations, with over 800 ships delivered and a workforce of 26,000 across a 550-acre yard on the James River. It reinforces HII’s role in designing and servicing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy. Investors may watch how this legacy is supported by future contract awards, production performance, and continued execution at facilities referenced in recent news.

Key Terms

nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, tugboat

2 terms

nuclear-powered aircraft carriers technical

"Today, the shipyard designs, builds, maintains, refuels and inactivates nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy."

Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are large warships that carry and support fixed-wing aircraft while using onboard nuclear reactors for propulsion and electricity, letting them operate for years without refueling. For investors, they matter because building, maintaining and supplying these complex ships drives long-term government spending and creates steady contracts for defense contractors, much like a floating city with its own power plant that sustains supply chains and predictable revenue streams.

tugboat technical

"Several years later, the shipyard delivered its first vessel, the tugboat Dorothy, named for the daughter of William C. Whitney..."

A tugboat is a small, powerful vessel used to push or pull larger ships and barges when docking, undocking, or navigating tight or shallow waters—think of it as a strong helper that guides a big truck through a narrow alley. Investors care because tugboat services are essential to port operations and supply chains; they affect shipping efficiency, turnaround times, and costs, which in turn influence the revenue and risk profile of maritime, logistics, and infrastructure businesses.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division is marking 140 years of service to the nation today.

On Jan. 28, 1886, Collis P. Huntington, a businessman whose investments enabled completion of the U.S. transcontinental railroad, turned his focus to shipbuilding, establishing what was first chartered as Chesapeake Dry Dock and Construction Co. and was then renamed Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company.

Several years later, the shipyard delivered its first vessel, the tugboat Dorothy, named for the daughter of William C. Whitney, the 31^st Secretary of the Navy. Today, Dorothy sits outside the gates of NNS as a reminder of the shipyard’s humble beginnings.

“For 140 years NNS shipbuilders have answered the call to serve our nation,” NNS President Kari Wilkinson said. “Generations of families have carried forward the noble profession of shipbuilding, proudly maintaining the Newport News Shipbuilding legacy. To this day, we are grateful for all of the shipbuilders who served before us and built what we work so hard today to sustain.”

Since its founding, NNS has delivered more than 800 ships to commercial and military customers. Today, the shipyard designs, builds, maintains, refuels and inactivates nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy.

Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hiis-newport-news-shipbuilding-marks-140-years-of-service-to-the-nation/,

Spanning 550 acres along two miles of the James River, NNS employs 26,000 shipbuilders and is the largest industrial employer in the commonwealth of Virginia. The shipyard also operates additional locations in Norfolk, Virginia, and Goose Creek, South Carolina, to support production.

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:
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/681f097f-38e3-4470-9862-009764d4608d

FAQ

What milestone did Newport News Shipbuilding (HII) mark on January 28, 2026?

Newport News Shipbuilding marked its 140th anniversary on January 28, 2026. According to the company, the yard traces its founding to Jan. 28, 1886 and continues to build and service naval vessels.

How many ships has Newport News Shipbuilding (HII) delivered since its founding?

Newport News Shipbuilding has delivered more than 800 ships since its founding. According to the company, those deliveries include commercial and military vessels across its 140-year history.

What types of vessels does Newport News Shipbuilding (HII) design and maintain?

The shipyard designs, builds, maintains, refuels, and inactivates nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. According to the company, these activities support U.S. Navy needs and lifecycle sustainment.

How large is the Newport News Shipbuilding site and how many people does it employ (HII)?

The Newport News site spans about 550 acres along two miles of the James River and employs 26,000 shipbuilders. According to the company, it is the largest industrial employer in Virginia.

Where are Newport News Shipbuilding (HII) production support locations besides Newport News?

In addition to Newport News, the shipyard operates support locations in Norfolk, Virginia and Goose Creek, South Carolina. According to the company, these sites help support production and operations.