Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding sector is the nation’s sole industrial designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies that design and build nuclear-powered submarines. The sector is also one of the nation’s leading providers and life-cycle supporters of major surface ships for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, international navies and commercial vessels. In addition, our after-market services – maintenance and repair – support a wide array of naval and commercial vessels.
Key Vessels
Key vessels at our Shipbuilding sector
include the George H.W. Bush, a large-deck, nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier designed to serve as foundation for Sea Strike operations and Sea Shield operations such as fleet air defense, anti-surface engagements and anti-sub activities; the transformational next-generation Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, featuring a new nuclear propulsion plant and technologies that revolutionize flight deck operations and greatly reduce manning levels; the multi-capability Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine, designed for open ocean combat and for littoral operations including surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and special operations support; Arleigh Burke DDG 51-class Aegis guided missile destroyer, equipped for conducting anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface and strike operations; DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class ships, the U.S. Navy’s transformational surface combatant that will debut advanced technologies such as an integrated electric propulsion system and an all-composite low-signature deckhouse that will be incorporated into next-generation cruisers and other ships; a state-of-the-art LPD 17 San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship that is able to embark up to 800 Marines along with their rotary-wing aircraft and expeditionary fighting vehicles; and Coast Guard cutters, associated boats and rotary aircraft all linked through advanced C4ISR technologies.
The Shipbuilding sector is composed of the company’s Newport News, Va., and Gulf Coast operations.
Newport News, Va., Operations
Our Newport News, Va., shipyard is the nation's sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines. The shipyard also provides services for a wide array of naval and commercial vessels.
Gulf Coast Operations
Our Gulf Coast shipyards are one of the nation's leading full service systems facilities for the design, engineering, construction, and life cycle support of major surface ships for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and international navies, and for commercial vessels of all types. Our Gulf Coast facilities include primary operations in Pascagoula, Miss., New Orleans, La., Gulfport, Miss., and Tallulah, La.
Northrop Grumman is designing the Navy’s 21st century surface combatant, the Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000), which will serve as the technological basis for future naval platforms.
The National Security Cutter will be the largest and most technically advanced class cutter in the U.S. Coast Guard. Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are teamed to build eight of these state-of-the-art vessels.
The Gerald R. Ford-class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers is designed to meet the requirements of the Navy’s vision for 21st century warfighting and includes such improvements as an enhanced flight deck, a redesigned island, a new nuclear power plant and allowances for future technologies.
Northrop Grumman performs lifecycle services on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers that require a three-year maintenance period after 25 years of continuous service. Maintenance includes refueling nuclear reactors, upgrading and modernizing combat and communication systems and overhauling the ship’s hull, mechanical and electrical systems.
The George H.W. Bush, the company’s 10th and final nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was christened on Oct. 7, 2006. Northrop Grumman is the nation’s sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Northrop Grumman’s Aviation Ship Integration Center is a state-of-the-art research facility established in partnership with the U.S. Navy to conduct modeling, simulation, research, development and in-depth analysis for CVN 21-class aircraft carriers and other aviation-capable ships.
To date, Northrop Grumman has built 24 of the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyers, a fleet that provides primary protection for the Navy’s battle forces. The ships also conduct a variety of crisis management, sea control, power projection and peacetime missions.
The company is designing and building nine LPD 17 amphibious assault ships designed to support U.S. Navy groups in battle, rescue operations and humanitarian missions. The ship’s design uses the latest in state-of-the-art technology to reduce operating costs.
Using the most modern composite fabrication manufacturing techniques and material systems available world-wide, Northrop Grumman’s Composites Center of Excellence is one of the largest, most comprehensive and experienced composite manufacturing facilities in the United States. The company’s Gulfport facility is manufacturing composite masts for each LPD-17-class ship and will also fabricate the entire deckhouse for the DDG 1000 program.
Northrop Grumman is the sole builder of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps USS Wasp-class large-deck multipurpose amphibious assault ships, and has built and delivered seven ships. The company designed and built the eighth ship, the Makin Island (LHD 8), with gas turbine engines and electric drive, allowing significant savings in manpower and maintenance costs.
Teamed with General Dynamics’ Electric Boat, Northrop Grumman is constructing the most advanced attack submarines in the world. Virginia-class submarines use advanced technologies to increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth and are capable of submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for up to three months.
