Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division finished the pressure hull for the Virginia‑class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802) on December 16 2025, marking the first Block V vessel to reach this critical milestone. The pressure hull, a single watertight structure formed by joining all hull sections, is a prerequisite for installing propulsion, weapons, and systems and for the submarine’s eventual sea‑trial phases.
The milestone dovetails with HII’s Q3 2025 earnings, in which the company reported record revenues of $3.2 billion—up 16.1% from the same quarter a year earlier—and net earnings of $145 million, or $3.68 per share. The earnings beat analyst expectations by $0.23 (9.85%) and were driven by strong demand in the core shipbuilding segment, disciplined cost control, and a favorable mix of high‑margin projects.
Newport News Shipbuilding remains the flagship of HII’s portfolio, with Ingalls Shipbuilding and Mission Technologies contributing to the broader defense and technology services mix. The Oklahoma milestone is the 14th Virginia‑class submarine delivered by Newport News, reinforcing HII’s position as the sole U.S. builder of nuclear‑powered carriers and submarines and expanding its backlog of future orders.
Jason Ward, vice president of new construction submarine programs at Newport News, said the pressure‑hull completion “highlights our commitment to accelerating production and delivering unmatched capability to our Navy customer.” CEO Chris Kastner added that the company is investing in workforce development and supply‑chain resilience to support higher shipbuilding throughput.
Analysts responded positively: Citigroup initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $376 target, Goldman Sachs raised its target to $356, and JP Morgan to $342. HII’s stock has been near its 52‑week high and has posted a 20.6% year‑to‑date gain, reflecting confidence in the company’s robust backlog and the favorable U.S. defense‑spending environment.
The pressure‑hull milestone signals HII’s ability to meet production schedules, supports backlog growth, and underpins guidance for FY 2025 revenue and free cash flow. It also positions the company to capture future Block V orders and sustain its long‑term strategic advantage in the U.S. naval shipbuilding market.
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