Eric Chewning, executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), discussed the challenges of modernizing America's oldest military shipbuilding operations in an exclusive interview. HII, identified as America's largest military shipbuilder, faces cultural transformation hurdles when implementing new design and manufacturing technologies in facilities with century-old operational traditions.
The strategic implications center on industrial base modernization and manufacturing competitiveness. As naval competition intensifies globally, the ability to rapidly adopt advanced manufacturing technologies directly impacts fleet readiness and production timelines. Shipbuilding's lag behind other manufacturing sectors in AI adoption potentially affects the U.S. Navy's ability to maintain technological superiority and meet fleet expansion goals.
The discussion touched on maritime startups and reindustrialization policy, suggesting broader industry transformation beyond traditional prime contractors. These emerging players could introduce disruptive technologies and agile manufacturing approaches that complement established shipyards' capacity and capability.
While HII has implemented advanced automation to accelerate shipyard production for years, the interview highlighted ongoing challenges in scaling these technologies across complex naval shipbuilding programs. The company's experience provides insights into balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing efficiency.
The conversation reflects broader defense industrial base concerns about maintaining competitive advantage through technological innovation while preserving the skilled workforce and institutional knowledge that underpins complex naval construction projects.