Media Advisory — HII and Path Robotics to Advance Shipbuilding with Physical AI
Rhea-AI Summary
HII (NYSE:HII) and Path Robotics will hold a memorandum of understanding signing and a physical AI demonstration on Feb. 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Path Robotics headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.
Media may film a guided factory tour, view live welding and assembly demonstrations, and speak with HII EVP Eric Chewning and Path CEO Andy Lonsberry. RSVP to Caroline Legg or Danny Hernandez by noon Feb. 16. Closed-toed shoes required; parking instructions provided on site.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HII is down 1.59% while several defense peers also show declines, including KTOS -5.40% and AVAV -4.22%, suggesting broader sector softness but not a synchronized move confirmed by momentum data.
Previous AI Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03 | AI autonomy test | Positive | -1.4% | Three-day integrated autonomy test using Shield AI Hivemind on USV platform. |
| Sep 10 | AI partnership | Positive | +1.8% | Partnership with Shield AI to combine Hivemind and Odyssey autonomy suites. |
| Sep 09 | AI USV launch | Positive | -1.1% | Unveiling AI-enabled ROMULUS USV family powered by Odyssey control system. |
| Jul 21 | AI research program | Positive | -0.6% | Intern-led research on AI use cases and presentation to company leadership. |
Past AI-related announcements often drew modest or negative next-day moves, even when strategically positive, with three of four AI events followed by slight share price declines.
Recent AI-related news for HII shows steady development of autonomy and AI capabilities, including partnerships with Shield AI and the AI-enabled ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel family. These updates, on Jul 21, Sep 9–10, and Nov 3, 2025, produced mixed reactions, with three small declines and one gain. Today’s media advisory on a physical AI-focused MOU and demonstration with Path Robotics continues this pattern of incremental AI ecosystem building rather than a discrete financial catalyst.
Historical Comparison
Across four prior AI updates, the average next-day move was -0.31%, with mostly modest declines despite constructive autonomy and AI development news.
AI-tagged news shows a progression from internal AI research to unveiling AI-enabled USVs and executing autonomy trials with Shield AI, building HII’s broader autonomy and mission systems portfolio.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights HII’s continued expansion into AI-enabled manufacturing through a memorandum of understanding and demonstration with Path Robotics. It complements earlier AI initiatives such as the ROMULUS unmanned surface vessels and autonomy trials with Shield AI. Investors may contextualize this alongside strong 2025 results, including $12.5B revenue and $800M free cash flow, while monitoring how AI partnerships translate into shipbuilding throughput and technology differentiation over time.
Key Terms
memorandum of understanding regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
What: HII, America’s largest shipbuilder, and Path Robotics, a global leader in physical AI for manufacturing, will host a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony and physical AI demonstration at Path Robotics’ headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Media will be able to film during a guided factory tour and a first look inside Path’s new physical AI innovation center with live welding and assembly demonstrations. The event is NOT open to the public, but media are invited to cover it.
Who: Following the ceremony remarks, formal MOU signing and physical AI demonstrations, media will have an opportunity to speak with Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president of maritime systems & corporate strategy, and Andy Lonsberry, CEO and co-founder, Path Robotics
When: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Path Robotics, 3950 Business Park Drive, Columbus, OH 43204
Additional Directions: Parking is available at Path’s headquarters. Please plan to park toward the west end of the building. Event signage will be posted on-site to guide you to the appropriate parking area and entrance.
RSVP: Confirmation of media attendance is required. Please RSVP by noon on Monday, Feb. 16 to Caroline Legg, clegg@path-robotics.com 203-313-4228 or Danny Hernandez, danny.j.hernandez@hii-co.com 202-264-7143 .
Safety and Attire: As this event will take place in an active manufacturing environment, closed-toed shoes are required.
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
About Path Robotics
Path Robotics builds physical AI for manufacturing, starting with its welding model, Obsidian™. Path’s intelligent welding cells perform the complex, variable welds that traditional automation cannot, enabling manufacturers to overcome chronic labor shortages while increasing production capacity, and improving quality. Since its founding in 2018, the company has raised more than
Contact:
Danny Hernandez (HII)
Danny.J.Hernandez@HII-co.com
(202) 264-7143
Caroline Legg (Path Robotics)
clegg@path-robotics.com
(203) 313-4228
FAQ
What is HII (HII) and Path Robotics doing at the Feb. 17, 2026 event?
When and where is the HII and Path Robotics MOU signing on Feb. 17, 2026?
How can media attend the HII (HII) and Path Robotics Feb. 17 event and RSVP deadline?
Who will be available for interviews at the HII and Path Robotics Feb. 17 demonstration?
