What are the key features of the Charleston facility?

The facility is located on 45 acres along the Cooper River and includes over 480,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space. It possesses state-of-the-art production facilities, manufacturing equipment, and tooling.

How has the facility performed in its first year?

The facility delivered its first unit within 40 days of operations and exceeded production targets for 2025.

What is the employment impact of the Charleston facility?

Over 99% of the existing workforce committed to remaining on-site after the acquisition, and HII plans to create hundreds of additional jobs.

How does HII's Charleston facility fit into the nationwide shipbuilding strategy?

The facility is part of HII's distributed shipbuilding initiative to increase shipbuilding throughput and meet the increased demand for ships across the nation, contributing to the U.S. Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan.

January 23, 2026

HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations Celebrates Year of Progress

Charleston, January 23, 2026

HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations has marked a significant milestone by celebrating its first year of activity. This facility in Goose Creek, SC, has rapidly evolved into a vital hub for advanced manufacturing in the shipbuilding industry, supporting the U.S. Navy’s demands for nuclear-powered vessels. The facility’s operations have exceeded production targets, retained local talent, and are poised to create hundreds of new jobs, bolstering the Charleston economy and strengthening national security.

Charleston

Powering Progress: HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations Mark One Year of Growth

In a significant milestone for the Lowcountry’s robust industrial landscape, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations recently commemorated its first year of activity. This anniversary underscores a compelling narrative of strategic foresight, entrepreneurial adaptability, and commitment to national security, all contributing to the economic vitality of the Charleston County economy.

The facility in Goose Creek, a vital component of the broader Charleston SC business ecosystem, has rapidly become a hub for advanced manufacturing. Its establishment highlights how private sector innovation, bolstered by a skilled local workforce, can meet critical national demands while simultaneously fostering local job creation and economic growth. This synergy demonstrates the positive outcomes that arise when businesses invest in communities ready to support ambitious endeavors.

A Strategic Expansion and Timely Acquisition

HII, a global all-domain defense provider and the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, officially marked one year of Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations on January 22, 2026. The asset acquisition closed in January 2025, quickly integrating the Charleston facility into HII’s expansive shipbuilding network.

This strategic move saw HII acquire an advanced manufacturing facility in Goose Creek, South Carolina, rebranding it as Newport News Shipbuilding – Charleston Operations. The facility, spanning 45 acres along the Cooper River, boasts more than 480,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space. It is equipped with state-of-the-art production facilities, cutting-edge manufacturing equipment, and advanced tooling, positioning it to significantly enhance shipbuilding capacity for the U.S. Navy.

Driving National Security and Local Prosperity

The primary mission of NNS Charleston Operations is to support the construction of nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for U.S. Navy programs. This local effort is part of HII’s larger distributed shipbuilding initiative, designed to increase shipbuilding throughput and meet the rising demand for naval vessels nationwide. The facility’s strategic location within South Carolina’s rapidly growing maritime ecosystem offers distinct advantages, including both barge and rail access, significant capacity for expansion, and access to a highly skilled maritime trades workforce.

Since its inception, the Charleston team has demonstrated remarkable efficiency, delivering its first unit within 40 days of operations and successfully exceeding production targets for 2025. This rapid success underscores the potential for innovation and productivity when a skilled workforce is empowered with modern resources and clear objectives.

Workforce Resilience and Growth

A key aspect of this successful transition has been the commitment to retaining local talent. Following the asset acquisition, more than 99% of the legacy workforce accepted offers to continue their work at the site. This continuity ensured a smooth operational start and preserved invaluable institutional knowledge within the workforce. Looking ahead, HII plans to create hundreds of additional jobs, further contributing to Lowcountry economic growth and providing valuable career opportunities for South Carolina entrepreneurs and skilled tradespeople.

The company’s collaboration with South Carolina’s state and regional leadership is crucial in these job creation efforts, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can lead to significant economic benefits and workforce development in the region.

Broader Impact on the Shipbuilding Industrial Base (Nationwide)

The establishment and success of HII’s Charleston operations play a role in the nationwide effort to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base. The U.S. Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan aims for a larger fleet, requiring increased ship construction across the country. Specifically, the plan anticipates a substantial increase in the tonnage of submarines, surface combatants, and amphibious warfare ships under construction from 2030 to 2054, with submarine construction receiving billions of dollars in Navy industrial base funding.

HII is actively addressing this national demand not only through its Charleston facility but also by partnering with 23 other shipyards and fabricators beyond its traditional labor market. The company is also exploring partnerships with international manufacturers and evaluating the addition of another U.S. shipyard to further expand capacity. This distributed shipbuilding model is vital for meeting the increased demand for ships and ensuring national security objectives are met.

Community Engagement and Vision for the Future

To celebrate its first year, HII hosted community and Navy leaders at the Goose Creek facility, alongside a town hall event for all NNS Charleston Operations shipbuilders. These engagements foster strong community ties and reinforce the shared mission of supporting both local prosperity and national defense.

The expansion of operations in Charleston signifies a commitment to leveraging a skilled workforce and advanced manufacturing capabilities to support urgent national requirements. As HII continues to ramp up production and exceed expectations, its Charleston presence will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of the Lowcountry’s economic landscape and a testament to the power of dedicated enterprise.

Conclusion

The first anniversary of HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations marks more than just a calendar date; it signifies a year of robust economic contribution, strategic industrial growth, and a deepening commitment to the Charleston community. By focusing on entrepreneurial innovation, nurturing a resilient workforce, and aligning with national strategic objectives, this facility stands as a shining example of how local enterprise can have a profound, far-reaching impact. We encourage all residents and businesses to recognize and support the vital role such endeavors play in strengthening our Charleston County economy and securing our nation’s future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations?: HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations is an advanced manufacturing facility located in Goose Creek, SC. It serves to enhance shipbuilding capacity for the U.S. Navy.
When did HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations mark its first year?: HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations marked its first year on January 22, 2026. The asset acquisition that established the operations closed in January 2025.
What are the key features of the Charleston facility?: The facility is located on 45 acres along the Cooper River and includes over 480,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space. It possesses state-of-the-art production facilities, manufacturing equipment, and tooling.
What does the Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations produce?: The operations support the construction of nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for U.S. Navy programs.
How has the facility performed in its first year?: The facility delivered its first unit within 40 days of operations and exceeded production targets for 2025.
What is the employment impact of the Charleston facility?: Over 99% of the existing workforce committed to remaining on-site after the acquisition, and HII plans to create hundreds of additional jobs.
How does HII’s Charleston facility fit into the nationwide shipbuilding strategy?: The facility is part of HII’s distributed shipbuilding initiative to increase shipbuilding throughput and meet the increased demand for ships across the nation, contributing to the U.S. Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan.

Key Features of HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations

Feature	Description	Geographic Scope
Location	Goose Creek, SC (Charleston Area)	Local
Anniversary	One year of operations marked on January 22, 2026	Local
Facility Size	45 acres with over 480,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space	Local
Primary Production	Nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for U.S. Navy programs	Nationwide
Operational Performance	First unit delivered within 40 days; exceeded 2025 production targets	Local
Workforce Retention	Over 99% of legacy workforce committed to remaining	Local
Job Creation Plans	Hundreds of additional jobs planned	Local
Strategic Importance	Part of HII’s distributed shipbuilding initiative to increase national throughput	Nationwide