Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has completed the previously disclosed acquisition of the assets of South Carolina-based modules manufacturer W International. 

Financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. 

The acquisition includes a 45-acre facility with more than 480,000ft² of manufacturing space equipped with the necessary manufacturing equipment, tooling, and infrastructure. The site's location also provides access to barge and rail transportation.  

The company has commenced operations at its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) — Charleston Operations site in South Carolina, US.  

HII president and CEO Chris Kastner said: “HII is committed to going where the labour is to increase shipbuilding capacity and increase throughput for our national security customers. 

“This lets us efficiently add trained talent and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities to the urgent job of building ships, making it a unique opportunity to immediately accelerate throughput at Newport News Shipbuilding in support of the Navy and AUKUS.” 

The transaction, initially announced last month, ensures the continuation of employment for more than 99% of the existing workforce.  

These skilled employees will contribute to the fabrication of nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for the US Navy.  

HII is collaborating with South Carolina's state and regional leaders to generate hundreds of new jobs, responding to the growing demand at the Charleston facility.  

US Senator Tim Scott said: “This is great news for the South Carolina economy. This investment will allow us to expand our manufacturing footprint more aggressively in the shipbuilding industry. 

“The expansion of our nation’s largest military shipbuilder in South Carolina underscores the pivotal role our state plays in strengthening America’s national security.” 

“This innovation and modernisation in our defence industrial base will create jobs and draw resources to our state’s already robust Navy presence.” 

This announcement comes after the christening of the US Navy’s 14th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, LPD 30, at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division.  

The LPD 30, named Harrisburg and co-sponsored by Alexandra Curry and Jennifer Díaz, represents the first Flight II variant of its class.