U. S. Navy's New Small Combat Ships: A Familiar Design Takes the Lead

The U. S. Navy has picked Ingalls Shipbuilding to create and construct new small surface combatant (SSC) ships. These ships will be based on the design of the Legend-class national security cutters, which Ingalls has already built for the U. S. Coast Guard. This decision makes sense because Ingalls has a lot of experience building complex ships and has the space to do the job. The Navy wants these new ships to be built quickly and efficiently. The design of the Legend-class cutters is well-tested and reliable, which should help keep the project on schedule. Chris Kastner, the president and CEO of HII, the company that owns Ingalls Shipbuilding, is confident that the team can handle this project while also working on other ships, like destroyers and amphibious ships.Right now, Ingalls is building three different types of ships and upgrading the Zumwalt-class destroyers. They have also been building Legend-class cutters for the Coast Guard for almost 20 years. The last one was delivered in October 2023. Ingalls Shipbuilding has spent over $1 billion to improve its facilities and tools. This investment helps them support new technology and systems. They have also partnered with 23 outsourcing companies and international manufacturers to increase their capacity. There are even talks about adding another shipyard in the U. S. This project is important because it shows how the U. S. is trying to expand its shipbuilding abilities to meet the Navy's needs. It's not just about building new ships; it's about creating a stronger industrial base for the future.