HII to Continue Supporting the Evolution of Autonomy and Navigation Technology for U.S. Defense

Rhea-AI Summary

HII (NYSE: HII) announced that its Mission Technologies division has been awarded a task order to conduct research for enhancing navigation and autonomy technologies for the U.S. Air Force and broader Department of Defense. The research will be conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, focusing on three main areas:

• Autonomous and cooperative systems
• Non-GPS precision navigation
• Robust global navigation satellite system navigation/navigation warfare

The research findings will help identify and solve challenging problems in these areas and lay the groundwork for future technological advancements. Grant Hagen, president of Mission Technologies' Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Space business group, emphasized the vital importance of this work for the future of defense and its significant impact on future navigation methods.

Positive

• HII's Mission Technologies division secured a new task order for defense research
• Research focuses on cutting-edge areas of autonomy and navigation technology
• Potential for groundbreaking technological developments in defense navigation

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Technology Analyst

This contract award to HII's Mission Technologies division for autonomy and navigation research is strategically significant. It positions HII at the forefront of critical defense technology development in three key areas:

• Autonomous and cooperative systems
• Non-GPS precision navigation
• Robust GNSS navigation/navigation warfare

The research conducted at Wright-Patterson AFB will likely drive future advancements in military navigation capabilities, particularly in GPS-denied environments. This is important as adversaries increasingly seek to disrupt GPS signals.

While financial details weren't disclosed, this type of high-level R&D work typically carries strong margins. It also enhances HII's competitive positioning for future related contracts. The long-term impact could be substantial if the research leads to deployable technologies.

Investors should view this positively as it reinforces HII's role as a key partner in developing next-generation defense technologies, potentially opening new revenue streams in the growing field of autonomous systems and advanced navigation.

McLEAN, Va., Oct. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a task order to conduct research that will enhance the development and evolution of navigation and autonomy technologies for the U.S. Air Force and broader U.S. Department of Defense.

An HII team at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, will develop and analyze research for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Autonomy and Navigation Technology (ANT) Center’s three research thrust areas: autonomous and cooperative systems, non-GPS precision navigation, and robust global navigation satellite system navigation/navigation warfare. The team’s findings will help identify and solve some of the most challenging problems in these areas, while laying the groundwork for future groundbreaking technology development.

“This innovative work is vitally important to the future of defense and will have a significant impact on how we navigate in the future,” said Grant Hagen, president of Mission Technologies’ Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Space business group. “We look forward to applying our expertise and continuing our support to AFIT’s forward-looking research in these mission-critical areas.”

A photo accompanying this release is available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-to-continue-supporting-the-evolution-of-autonomy-and-navigation-technology-for-u-s-defense/.

Eric Wright, vice president of operations for Mission Technologies’ Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Space business group, added, “The use of autonomy and non-GPS technology to address problems associated with GPS-denied or underground environments, for example, is rapidly evolving, and the ANT Center team is building on a decade of experience to advance AFIT’s mission and find new ways to apply this technology.”

HII was awarded the task order under the U.S. Department of Defense’s Information Analysis Center (IAC) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) vehicle. These IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the U.S. Air Force's 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the Defense Technical Information Center repository and the research and development and science and technology community.

Most of the work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

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

The DoD IAC, sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center, provides technical data management and research support for DoD and federal government users. Established in 1946, the IAC program serves the DoD science and technology and acquisition communities to drive innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination for the DoD and broader science and technology community.

This material is based upon work supported by the DoD Information Analysis Center Program (DoD IAC), sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) under Contract No. FA807518D0002.

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DoD.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8da0b0f5-2264-4f3f-a356-863ff24a525d

Contact:

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

FAQ

What is the focus of HII's new task order for the U.S. Air Force?

HII's new task order focuses on conducting research to enhance navigation and autonomy technologies for the U.S. Air Force and broader Department of Defense, specifically in areas of autonomous systems, non-GPS navigation, and robust satellite navigation.

Where will HII conduct the research for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)?

HII will conduct the research at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

What are the three main research thrust areas for HII's task order with AFIT?

The three main research thrust areas are: 1) autonomous and cooperative systems, 2) non-GPS precision navigation, and 3) robust global navigation satellite system navigation/navigation warfare.

How might HII's research impact future defense technology?

HII's research is expected to help identify and solve challenging problems in navigation and autonomy, laying the groundwork for future groundbreaking technology development in defense navigation methods.