PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug.  04, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE:HII) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) are advancing their strategic partnership with a pilot program to implement additional intelligent mechanized

HII Expands Welding Automation at Ingalls Shipbuilding Through Partnership with HD HHI

HII and HD Hyundai advance welding automation at Ingalls shipyard

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug.  04, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE:HII) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) are advancing their strategic partnership with a pilot program to implement additional intelligent mechanized</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>HII and HD Hyundai are piloting advanced intelligent mechanized welding at Ingalls Shipbuilding, expanding a U.S.-Korea collaboration. The program automates manual welds, captures real-time data and aims to improve safety and throughput, aligning with HII’s broader automation push including HYPR and robotics initiatives.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>HII and HD Hyundai advance intelligent welding pilot at Ingalls.</li><li>Pilot expands U.S.-Korea shipbuilding cooperation per 2025 MOU.</li><li>Automation captures welding data for quality control and traceability.</li><li>HYPR initiative expands AI-enabled tools to augment shipyard workforce.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>HII (HII)</strong>: U.S. shipbuilder; benefits from expanded automation at Ingalls; potential uplift to production efficiency and Navy contract delivery.</li><li><strong>HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)</strong>: Korean partner leading intelligent welding tech; could accelerate cross-border technology transfer and future collaboration.</li><li><strong>Ingalls Shipbuilding (Private)</strong>: Ingalls is the pilot site; private subsidiary within HII, driving modernization of its production lines.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>Category: Corporate Developments. The article describes a strategic partnership and automation pilot, illustrating how HII is expanding its manufacturing technology leadership through collaboration.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Ingalls pilot may boost throughput and safety.</li><li>Strengthens HII-HHI collaboration, potential future contract benefits.</li><li>HYPR AI initiative could lift workforce productivity.</li><li>Navy shipbuilding demand and automation ROI will drive sentiment.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Release date: Aug 4, 2026.</li><li>MOU between HII and HD Hyundai (HHI) established in 2025.</li><li>Pilot deployed at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Mississippi.</li><li>Ingalls workforce cited at ~45,000 employees.</li><li>HYPR initiative aims to apply AI-enabled tools in shipyard ops.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Automation gains could lift HII margins within 12–24 months.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css"></link><p>PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug.  04, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HII">HII</a>) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) are advancing their strategic partnership with a pilot program to implement additional intelligent mechanized welding equipment at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, expanding Ingalls’ robust existing automation and technology strategy. The pilot is a meaningful step in advancing U.S.-Korea shipbuilding cooperation, as outlined in a 2025 <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=bI6p3uBejR1GoJFOgRezhayF9Kbvo33PJIj7KL4ffDeJ1YozTEp5jjfW2_aLLFaFHDpGTBoyNEglLqBgRG2b2H4r_zK9Gs4M7wu02yWCAOvp_r0suplLtn4y_6O3PuWOO8cNCi7URB-ZOfpp3J1h44ZjIk2ZTttu5b0uByqyTe3H5PZjHrZczipVVxKCR6Bi4hAXYySLKIgzD9vCSGKxuw==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">memorandum of understanding (MOU)</a> between the two companies, and underscores HII’s commitment to innovate operations as it delivers ships to the U.S. Navy.</p>  <p>"Ingalls operates one of the most advanced automated production lines in the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base," Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette said. "Investments in technology and automation range from large-scale automated panel lines and material handling, to robotic bulkhead fabrication, to numerous other digital and advanced manufacturing tools. This pilot extends that automation footprint further into the production process, and to a greater share of the workforce. Working with HHI allows us to expand targeted automation functions, and integrate shared best practices as we continue delivering the most capable ships to the U.S. Navy."</p>  <p align="center"><img alt="HHI Welding Machine_Luis Solis_July 31, 2026-3" height="400" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/2c51fda4-a8a3-4bb7-a6de-cb116d4912e6/hhi-welding-machine-luis-solis-july-31-2026-3.jpg" width="600" data-dpi="300" data-caption="A shipbuilder at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division operates an HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) intelligent mechanized welding machine in the panel line production facility at Ingalls. The shipbuilder closely monitors the machine as it creates a horizontal weld joining two bulkheads together, using magnets and guide wheels to stay aligned on the joint. The equipment is deployed at Ingalls as part of a pilot program expanding intelligent mechanized welding capabilities at the shipyard. " data-filename="HHI Welding Machine_Luis Solis_July 31, 2026-3.jpg"></img><br></br></p>  <p>Photos accompanying this release are available at: <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=FAvzUiy8UNb3D7TJDszV5OrSX80j_MVqOwHYa0icXdp0lUj16ftioyRkm_HX4VLeCC53V4BOVHP1GUa5izXFHZH9XIBfn53lOXYvZaY5Jp8V9Y0FNIHPr0jdI_woF94N6q0PEvT7nBpqB8h49vfACQqYbWKklK1YWnQc1LQ0qwV0ZKsfgwHBEhmkXRgv6bRUEWkuretcUp9ShgTRrMcLNbo7ccWeGatPtdzQfVIeV_tESBKOy58fZMfKlRDa2a8edAaFfiptEys49R87W3jEeqU6Dn5uXXFQVIEQubNu5ASzE38Pa5Fg5ydDaDu9QdxUYj0eAZOWEnvE4TIw9jG_QA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://hii.com/news/hii-expands-welding-automation-at-ingalls-shipbuilding-through-partnership-with-hd-hhi/</a>.</p>  <p>The pilot deploys intelligent mechanized welding systems in unit-fabrication areas that currently rely predominantly on manual welding. These systems are designed to make welding, one of the most demanding processes in shipbuilding, safer and more efficient. The system automatically recognizes workpieces and welding conditions, corrects welding positions in real time and captures process data that can support quality control, process improvement and traceability. Ingalls has ensured the machines comply with existing U.S. Navy fabrication standards and will use the pilot to identify opportunities for improved efficiency.</p>  <p>"This pilot program reflects the strengthening of our partnership and the advantages of open technical collaboration," said Dr. Won-ho Joo, chief executive of the Naval &amp; Special Ship Business Unit at HHI. "We look forward to working with HII to enhance shipbuilding efficiency and deliver greater value to our customers."</p>  <p>The intelligent mechanized welding pilot grew out of a <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Lf3SuRgkKhe6Dq8-AtbyIs6GCnHgInQSNKGqoE3VfmsBFJZRYJYXURM_g2xlO-5lmNyvXqs0y1VHC_8-VviEULAgK0wcxatdE-j6qQMzBDQZsw7tg43LQJS9CVVRprHL96iVoCzGJIa-75VrBXRJWsYBjf8GChBR9i2FLpN67z-eA5CWrUwEambNHFUVJbU5eOcA1hJoONsZN1iRo7WL9EeROxgY1RZ4dK9nObLmZG-GkIp3HKzQZR3j8EdUUVpWCILw-zxyZ87Tn5gBOns4EA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">three-day technical exchange at Ingalls</a> where the companies evaluated shipbuilding technologies and automation opportunities across their respective shipyards. During the visit, Ingalls showcased its hybrid laser welding process, robotics integration, and facility layout designed to support streamlined construction.</p>  <p>Additional automation and technology initiatives under evaluation or in implementation at HII’s shipyards, Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi and Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, include new robotic and cobot applications including fabrication cells, additive manufacturing, automated steel processing systems, integrated production control software that supports precise construction and real-time production insights, and continuous upgrades to automated panel and bulkhead lines. Additionally, HII’s recently announced High-Yield Production Robotics (<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=jXLjxj5atN_yszhqiIWArtC985nxxkTCWr7jlI6nhI1L-k1p60rtFle6JHMMzA7gV5YCMY-9mLUPC3rO5mnRW-gdD4TeWpcVJcbfu9GH-3u0TfRlDBEmTTSDjwhGl2p1uCSU1-lWJZ_C31e0h_Hvo0ctcebuUTPMJ-VcQ-l7L9BFVojYdoY7dmxxBoeQmTLodc1txBvsnj0PM0jTUIPx8g==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HYPR</a>) initiative teams the company with emerging physical AI technology companies to implement AI-enabled tools aimed at augmenting the capabilities of the existing shipbuilding workforce.</p>  <p><strong>About HII</strong></p>  <p>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.</p>  <p>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 45,000 strong. For more information, visit:</p>  <ul type="disc"><li>HII on the web: <a href="https://www.hii.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u>https://www.HII.com/</u></a></li><li>HII on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u>https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII</u></a></li><li>HII on X: <a href="https://www.twitter.com/wearehii" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u>https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII</u></a></li><li>HII on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wearehii" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u>https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII</u></a></li><li>HII on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearehii" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearehii</u></a><br></br></li></ul>  <p>Contact:</p>  <p>Kimberly K. Aguillard<br></br><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=B9AuRLSG8s6xrvQmXWiiMFfbNhX0dsWKVznlDz5GlUvUPAQH2dNtcgnC5sQZV6MQBwWgvBosfxQXchTZ0Uh_4iiDeyAUysBmBJlgUqhrVPNgAiyOhXbcIbt2oDzGKWEw6rui-Am_ExmdEIO8bR6b_w==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u>Kimberly.K.Aguillard@hii-co.com</u></a><br></br>228-355-5663</p>  <p>A photo accompanying this announcement is available at <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=3lzi3iBH3U_BZvflhg3R41Q2fR3-L1ZK-DmKIeTALP2-k-n92HLzqDtp5sQkejSor2RFhrHGSmcpZ-nqquDQD4i-tYgq3wAtcvXeHQJ97x3yfXf7P8yMX09x46tK9135q9Bmgcmejb19FJezViUb1G4gF_NFbhvvuGUi0--0JA-q3426m4at889uv3ueQ7xfg4Cq4ekUkV5VhRlHZz38Q1P0ospLNBQ87rsSRhjQNN--3Dn6YmumKE0xTY6YxzkfLDF7sndKjLOtETi9R_I38Q==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2c51fda4-a8a3-4bb7-a6de-cb116d4912e6</a></p> <img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTgwMzY3MiM3NzU5MDAxIzIwMTA4ODQ="></img> <br></br><img alt="" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/M2M4ZjU5NTUtNzQ5YS00NjdiLThkNDctMzJhNzMwMTU0NTRiLTEwMjI0NTctMjAyNi0wOC0wNS1lbg==/tiny/HII.png" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></img><p><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/50e1f6f6-0b84-4b47-bae8-15bb93c2843a"><img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/50e1f6f6-0b84-4b47-bae8-15bb93c2843a/small/hii-logo-2023-icon-png.png" border="0" width="150" height="150" alt="Primary Logo"></img></a></p>

HII and HD Hyundai are piloting advanced intelligent mechanized welding at Ingalls Shipbuilding, expanding a U.S.-Korea collaboration. The program automates manual welds, captures real-time data and aims to improve safety and throughput, aligning with HII’s broader automation push including HYPR and robotics initiatives.

News insight

HII Expands Welding Automation at Ingalls Shipbuilding Through Partnership with HD HHI

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Sentiment rationale

Key facts

Corporate Developments