Ingalls Shipbuilding

Ingalls Shipbuilding. It is a major shipyard and a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, operating primarily from its extensive facilities in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Founded in 1938 by industrialist Robert Ingersoll Ingalls Sr., the yard has grown into a cornerstone of United States Navy and United States Coast Guard shipbuilding, renowned for constructing complex warships including destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and cutters. As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, Ingalls plays a vital role in national defense and the regional economy of the Gulf Coast.

History

The company was established in 1938 by Robert Ingersoll Ingalls Sr. on the East Bank of the Pascagoula River, initially focusing on commercial vessels like tankers and cargo ships. Its entry into defense contracting accelerated during World War II, building Liberty ships and attack transports such as the USS Doyen (APA-1). In 1961, the shipyard was acquired by Litton Industries, which invested heavily in modernization, leading to its selection for the new Spruance-class destroyer in 1970. Following Litton's acquisition by Northrop Grumman in 2001, the yard became part of the newly independent Huntington Ingalls Industries in 2011, solidifying its status as America's largest military shipbuilder.

Facilities

The primary shipyard is located on a 800-acre site along the Pascagoula River, featuring some of the most advanced manufacturing infrastructure in the world. Key facilities include a massive panel line building, a outfitting facility, and several large dry docks and building ways. The Ingalls West Bank facility supports fabrication and module assembly, while the Land Level Transfer Facility allows for the efficient movement of large ship sections. The yard's paint and blast facilities, along with a dedicated research and development center, ensure cutting-edge construction techniques and quality control.

Products

Ingalls Shipbuilding specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of sophisticated surface combatants and support vessels for the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard. Its signature products include the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG), the America-class landing helicopter assault (LHA) ship, and the San Antonio-class landing platform dock (LPD). For the Coast Guard, it builds the Legend-class national security cutter (NSC) and the newer Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter (OPC). The yard also conducts overhauls, repairs, and modernizations for in-service fleet units.

Notable projects

Among its most significant projects is the ongoing construction of the Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers, such as the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), which integrates the powerful AN/SPY-6 radar. The yard built all Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, including the USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51), and pioneered the San Antonio-class, with lead ship USS San Antonio (LPD-17). Iconic amphibious assault ships constructed include the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and the USS America (LHA-6). For the Coast Guard, Ingalls delivered the lead Legend-class cutter, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750), and is currently building the Heritage-class series.

Corporate affairs

As a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Ingalls Shipbuilding is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HII. The shipyard is a critical component of the nation's defense industrial base and works closely with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). It maintains extensive partnerships with hundreds of subcontractors and suppliers across all 50 states. The division is led by a president who reports to HII corporate leadership, and it actively engages in workforce development programs with institutions like the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Category:Shipbuilding companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Mississippi Category:Huntington Ingalls Industries Category:Military industrial complex