HII and C3 AI forge strategic artificial intelligence partnership to support US navy shipbuilding

Revolutionizing Naval Shipbuilding: HII and C3 AI Drive AI-Powered Efficiency

In a landmark move set to significantly bolster U.S. naval capabilities, HII, America’s premier military shipbuilder, has announced an expanded strategic partnership with C3 AI, a leader in Enterprise AI application software. This collaboration marks a pivotal step towards integrating advanced artificial intelligence across HII's shipbuilding operations, promising to accelerate throughput and enhance the delivery of critical assets to the U.S. Navy.

The Urgency of Innovation: Why AI Now?

The imperative to increase shipbuilding throughput is not merely a business objective; it's a matter of national security. As HII CEO Chris Kastner underscored, “Increasing shipbuilding throughput is a critical priority for HII and the U.S. Navy.” This partnership leverages cutting-edge data and digital capabilities, particularly AI, to address this urgent need, ensuring the timely delivery of ships essential for maintaining America's maritime strength.

Thomas M. Siebel, Chairman and CEO of C3 AI, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their commitment to fortifying the nation's maritime industrial dominance. He stated, "By deploying Enterprise AI across planning, operations, and the supply chain, we are powering a modern, intelligent infrastructure to ensure America’s edge in naval readiness." This alliance is poised to transform traditional shipbuilding into a highly efficient, AI-driven process.

AI in Action: Optimizing Every Aspect of Shipbuilding

The expanded partnership will see HII integrating C3 AI solutions across a comprehensive range of its shipbuilding operations. Key areas of focus include:

• Planning: Streamlining complex project timelines and resource allocation.
• Operations: Optimizing workflows and production processes on the shipyard floor.
• Supply Chain: Enhancing efficiency and resilience in material procurement and logistics.
• Labor Allocation: Improving workforce scheduling and task assignments for maximum productivity.

These efforts are specifically designed to accelerate production cycles and directly support the U.S. Navy’s critical fleet readiness requirements. Beyond current shipbuilding, the collaboration also eyes future opportunities in the production and sustainment of uncrewed vehicle technologies, further extending the strategic impact of AI.

Proven Success: From Pilot to Pervasive Impact

This strategic expansion is not based on theoretical potential but on demonstrable success. A foundational six-month pilot program conducted at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division provided compelling evidence of AI’s transformative power. During this initial deployment, shipbuilding teams successfully leveraged sophisticated algorithms from the C3 AI application – powered by the C3 Agentic AI Platform – to dynamically adjust and optimize work schedules. The results were clear: the pilot program achieved "significant improvements in schedule performance."

This tangible success provides the blueprint for a widespread rollout. HII will now scale this proven methodology across both of its primary shipbuilding divisions:

• Ingalls Shipbuilding: Responsible for constructing amphibious ships and destroyers for the U.S. Navy.
• Newport News Shipbuilding: The nation’s sole designer, builder, and refueler of U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and a major builder of nuclear-powered submarines.

A Stronger Defense Industrial Base Through Digital Transformation

The alliance between HII and C3 AI signifies a crucial milestone in the digitization of America’s defense industrial base. It underscores a shared commitment to leveraging innovation as a cornerstone for strengthening U.S. naval capabilities. This proactive embrace of artificial intelligence is set to redefine efficiency, accelerate delivery, and ultimately enhance the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy.

For those invested in national security and technological advancement, this partnership offers a compelling vision of the future: a shipbuilding enterprise made more powerful, more efficient, and more responsive through intelligent automation. The immediate value delivered through improved schedule performance and accelerated production directly translates to a more robust and ready fleet, securing America's strategic advantage at sea.