Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Mission Technologies division has joined the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering Corporate Partners Program, giving the company access to cutting‑edge research facilities, a pipeline of engineering talent, and opportunities to license intellectual property developed at the university.
The collaboration centers on autonomous surface and underwater vehicles, leveraging the MATRIX Lab’s expertise in autonomy, artificial intelligence, and sensor integration. By working with the lab, HII aims to shorten the time‑to‑market for new unmanned platforms and accelerate the development of high‑margin solutions for the U.S. Navy and other defense customers.
HII’s Q3 2025 results—record revenue of $3.2 billion, up 16.1% year‑over‑year, and net earnings of $145 million—highlight the company’s strong financial foundation. Mission Technologies revenue grew 11% YoY, underscoring the division’s contribution to the overall growth and reinforcing the strategic importance of the new partnership.
COO Garry Schwartz said the collaboration “underscores HII’s commitment to bridging industry and academia to accelerate innovation in defense and national security,” reflecting the company’s focus on strategic investments in high‑return technologies.
The partnership is a material shift that expands HII’s R&D ecosystem and strengthens its position in the autonomous maritime market. Access to the MATRIX Lab’s research and talent pipeline is expected to reduce development cycles, enhance product capabilities, and provide a competitive edge in securing future U.S. Navy contracts.
The University of Maryland’s MATRIX Lab is a key research facility with strong ties to the Department of War and the Naval Air Warfare Center, making it a highly relevant partner for HII’s autonomous systems development. The collaboration aligns with broader defense industry trends toward unmanned and AI‑driven platforms.
Overall, the partnership signals HII’s continued diversification beyond traditional shipbuilding, positioning the company to capture growth in the expanding autonomous maritime market while leveraging academic expertise to accelerate innovation.
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