HII Expands Intelligent Welding Automation at Ingalls Shipyard

Adaptive welding systems deployed for Navy shipbuilding

Huntington Ingalls Industries is expanding intelligent welding automation at its Ingalls Shipbuilding facility in Mississippi through a partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The pilot program introduces mechanized systems capable of real-time adaptation into production areas that currently rely on manual welding for U.S. Navy vessels.

The deployment stems from a 2025 memorandum of understanding between the two shipbuilders and represents a concrete step in U.S.-South Korean cooperation on naval manufacturing technology. The equipment will be integrated into unit fabrication operations at the Gulf Coast shipyard.

How the intelligent systems work

The welding machines automatically identify workpieces and evaluate welding conditions before beginning work. During operation, they can adjust welding positions in real time to maintain quality standards. The systems also capture production data throughout the fabrication process.

That data collection serves multiple functions: quality control verification, process optimization, and production traceability. Ingalls confirmed the equipment meets existing U.S. Navy fabrication requirements, a critical threshold for deployment in defense manufacturing.

Building on existing automation infrastructure

Ingalls already operates substantial automation across its production lines, including automated panel lines, material-handling systems, and robotic bulkhead fabrication. The shipyard also uses digital manufacturing tools throughout its operations.

"This pilot extends that automation footprint further into the production process, and to a greater share of the workforce," said Brian Blanchette, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding. He noted that collaboration with HHI enables the shipyard to expand targeted automation functions while integrating best practices from both organizations.

The welding pilot followed a three-day technical exchange at Ingalls where teams from both companies evaluated shipbuilding technologies and automation opportunities. Ingalls demonstrated its hybrid laser welding process, robotics integration, and facility layouts designed for streamlined construction.

Why it matters

U.S. Navy shipbuilding faces persistent capacity and workforce challenges as demand for vessels increases. Intelligent automation that can adapt to conditions in real time addresses both issues—reducing dependence on manual welding skills while maintaining the quality standards defense contracts require. The partnership also demonstrates how international collaboration can accelerate technology adoption in the defense industrial base without compromising security requirements.

Broader automation initiatives

HII is pursuing additional automation projects at both Ingalls and its Newport News Shipbuilding facility in Virginia. These efforts include robotic fabrication cells, collaborative robots, additive manufacturing, and automated steel processing. The company is also upgrading automated panel and bulkhead production lines with integrated software that provides real-time manufacturing data.

The shipbuilder's High-Yield Production Robotics initiative partners HII with physical artificial intelligence companies to develop AI-enabled tools designed for the existing shipbuilding workforce.

Dr. Won-ho Joo, chief executive of the Naval & Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, characterized the pilot as reflecting strengthening partnership and the benefits of open technical collaboration between the companies.

These details were first reported by Defence Industry.