HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Opens New Virtual Reality Welding Lab
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding has opened a new virtual reality (VR) welding lab at its Pascagoula shipyard, marking a significant advancement in shipbuilder training. The facility, developed in partnership with the U.S. Navy, Accelerate Mississippi, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), integrates VR technology into the existing welder certification curriculum.
This initiative is part of broader workforce development efforts, funded through federal and state partnerships, aimed at enhancing shipbuilding skills training. The lab's establishment follows a significant multi-year contract awarded by the U.S. Navy in August 2023 for the construction of six Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, with options for additional vessels. The contract includes funding for workforce development initiatives like virtual learning labs.
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding ha aperto un nuovo laboratorio di saldatura in realtà virtuale (VR) nel suo cantiere navale di Pascagoula, segnando un importante avanzamento nella formazione dei costruttori navali. La struttura, sviluppata in collaborazione con la Marina degli Stati Uniti, Accelerate Mississippi e il Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), integra la tecnologia VR nel curriculum di certificazione per saldatori esistente.
Questa iniziativa fa parte di sforzi più ampi per lo sviluppo della forza lavoro, finanziati attraverso partnership federali e statali, con l'obiettivo di migliorare la formazione delle competenze nel settore della costruzione navale. L'istituzione del laboratorio segue un importante contratto pluriennale assegnato dalla Marina degli Stati Uniti nell'agosto 2023 per la costruzione di sei cacciatorpediniere della classe Arleigh Burke Flight III, con opzioni per ulteriori navi. Il contratto include finanziamenti per iniziative di sviluppo della forza lavoro come i laboratori di apprendimento virtuale.
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding ha abierto un nuevo laboratorio de soldadura en realidad virtual (VR) en su astillero de Pascagoula, marcando un avance significativo en la capacitación de constructores navales. La instalación, desarrollada en colaboración con la Marina de los EE. UU., Accelerate Mississippi y el Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), integra la tecnología VR en el currículo de certificación de soldadores existente.
Esta iniciativa es parte de un esfuerzo más amplio de desarrollo de la fuerza laboral, financiado a través de asociaciones federales y estatales, con el objetivo de mejorar la capacitación en habilidades de construcción naval. La creación del laboratorio sigue a un importante contrato de varios años otorgado por la Marina de los EE. UU. en agosto de 2023 para la construcción de seis destructores de clase Arleigh Burke Flight III, con opciones para embarcaciones adicionales. El contrato incluye financiamiento para iniciativas de desarrollo de la fuerza laboral, como laboratorios de aprendizaje virtual.
HII의 잉골스 조선소가 파스카굴라 조선소에 새로운 가상 현실 (VR) 용접 연구실을 열었습니다. 이는 조선업 교육에서 중요한 발전을 의미합니다. 이 시설은 미국 해군, 액셀러레이트 미시시피, 미시시피 만 커뮤니티 칼리지 (MGCCC)와 협력하여 개발되었으며, VR 기술이 기존 용접사 인증 커리큘럼에 통합되었습니다.
이 이니셔티브는 연방 및 주 차원의 파트너십을 통해 자금 지원을 받아 조선 기술 교육을 향상시키기 위한 더 넓은 인력 개발 노력의 일환입니다. 이 연구실의 설립은 2023년 8월 미국 해군에게 수여된 다년 계약에 따른 것으로, 여섯 대의 Flight III 아를리 버크급 구축함의 건설에 관한 것입니다. 이 계약은 가상 학습 연구소와 같은 인력 개발 이니셔티브에 대한 자금 제공을 포함합니다.
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding a ouvert un nouveau laboratoire de soudage en réalité virtuelle (VR) dans son chantier naval de Pascagoula, marquant un avancement significatif dans la formation des constructeurs navals. L'installation, développée en partenariat avec la Marine des États-Unis, Accelerate Mississippi et le Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), intègre la technologie VR dans le programme de certification des soudeurs existant.
Cette initiative fait partie d'efforts plus larges de développement de la main-d'œuvre, financés par des partenariats fédéraux et étatiques, visant à améliorer la formation des compétences en construction navale. L'établissement du laboratoire fait suite à un important contrat pluriannuel attribué par la Marine des États-Unis en août 2023 pour la construction de six destroyers de classe Arleigh Burke Flight III, avec des options pour des navires supplémentaires. Le contrat inclut un financement pour des initiatives de développement de la main-d'œuvre comme les laboratoires d'apprentissage virtuel.
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding hat ein neues Schweißlabor für virtuelle Realität (VR) in seinem Werft in Pascagoula eröffnet, was einen bedeutenden Fortschritt in der Ausbildung von Schiffbauern darstellt. Die Einrichtung wurde in Zusammenarbeit mit der US Navy, Accelerate Mississippi und dem Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) entwickelt und integriert VR-Technologie in den vorhandenen Lehrplan zur Schweißerzertifizierung.
Diese Initiative ist Teil umfassenderer Bemühungen zur Entwicklung der Arbeitskräfte, die durch Bundes- und Landespartnerschaften finanziert werden und darauf abzielen, die Schiffsbauschulung zu verbessern. Die Einrichtung des Labors folgt einem bedeutenden mehrjährigen Vertrag, der im August 2023 von der US Navy vergeben wurde für den Bau von sechs Zerstörern der Klasse Arleigh Burke Flight III, mit Optionen für zusätzliche Schiffe. Der Vertrag umfasst Mittel für Initiativen zur Entwicklung der Arbeitskräfte wie virtuelle Lernlabore.
- Secured multi-year contract for six Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with additional options
- Received federal funding support for workforce development initiatives
- Implementation of cost-effective VR training technology reducing training expenses
- None.
Insights
The launch of HII's VR welding lab marks a strategic investment in workforce development that could significantly impact the company's operational capabilities and financial performance. This initiative addresses three critical business challenges: the industry-wide skilled labor shortage, training efficiency and quality control.
The timing is particularly strategic, aligning with HII's multi-billion dollar Navy contract for six Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Virtual reality training typically reduces certification time by
The competitive advantages are substantial:
- Accelerated workforce scaling capability, essential for managing large contract deliveries
- Reduced training costs and material waste
- Enhanced quality control through standardized training procedures
- Improved safety metrics and reduced training-related incidents
The partnership with MGCCC and AccelerateMS also positions HII to potentially access additional state funding and resources for workforce development. This could create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers, important for long-term contract execution and business growth.
From an investor perspective, this investment signals HII's commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth. The technology integration could lead to improved margins through reduced training costs and enhanced productivity, while potentially accelerating project delivery timelines - key factors in maintaining competitive advantages in the defense contracting sector.
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division along with representatives from the U.S. Navy, Accelerate Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), celebrated the opening of a virtual reality (VR) welding lab at the shipyard Wednesday. The new facility makes it easier and safer for welders to hone their skills, and enhance HII’s ability to grow the number of proficient shipbuilders with this essential skillset.
“As we develop the shipbuilders who build our nation’s ships, our training programs are a key part of that effort,” Ingalls Shipbuilding Vice President of Operations Donny Dorsey said. “By working with the Navy and our regional workforce partners, we can provide individuals in Mississippi with a more comprehensive approach to mastering a skilled trade in shipbuilding.”
This new facility integrates VR technology into the shipyard’s existing welder certification curriculum, providing new and current Ingalls shipbuilders with an immersive, hands-on experience to develop critical shipbuilding skills.
The establishment of the VR welding lab is part of Ingalls Shipbuilding’s broader workforce development efforts, made possible through federal and state partnerships that are bringing cutting-edge training technology to the shipbuilding industry.
Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hiis-ingalls-shipbuilding-opens-new-virtual-reality-welding-lab/.
“Innovative training programs like this are key to building a highly skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of industries across Mississippi,” said Courtney Taylor, executive director of AccelerateMS. “By embracing virtual reality technology, Ingalls is not only equipping future shipbuilders with critical skills, but also setting a new benchmark for how industries can leverage technology, local training providers, and state resources to train workers. This partnership highlights the importance of collaboration in strengthening our workforce and helping set the standard for technical training in the region.”
MGCCC has also played a crucial role in the development of the lab, ensuring alignment with industry needs.
“We are proud to partner with Ingalls to provide this new training to their shipbuilders,” said Dr. Mary Graham, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. “These vital partnerships allow us to offer innovative training solutions that prepare our students for real-world careers. We are proud to work with Ingalls to bring this technology to our community.”
In August 2023, the U.S. Navy awarded Ingalls a multi-year contract for the construction of six Flight III Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers and one option ship, plus options for additional destroyers. This award included funds to support workforce development initiatives, such as virtual learning labs, providing Ingalls shipbuilders with the opportunity to build and deliver Navy destroyers for decades to come.
To learn more about careers or training opportunities at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, visit https://hii.com/careers/.
About HII
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
- HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
- HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
- HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
- HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
Contact:
Kimberly K. Aguillard
228-355-5663
Kimberly.K.Aguillard@hii-co.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02e03286-c28b-4493-9ac0-703e7cd66c68
FAQ
What is the significance of HII's new VR welding lab for shipbuilding operations?
How many ships are included in HII's August 2023 Navy contract?
What partnerships were involved in HII's VR welding lab development?
How does HII's new VR welding lab impact workforce training?
