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HII to Strengthen Nuclear-Powered Submarine Supply Chain
HIIHuntington Ingalls Industries(HII) Newsfilter·2025-03-11 16:15

Core Points - HII has been awarded a 9.6million(AUD)contracttoleadtheAUSSQpilotprogram,aimedatintegratingAustraliansuppliersintotheU.S.submarineindustrialbaseoverthenexttwoyears[2][4][5]−TheAUSSQpilotprogramispartoftheAustralianGovernment′sAUKUSSubmarineIndustryStrategy,whichseekstodevelopasovereignindustrialcapabilityfornuclear−poweredsubmarines[4][5]−HII′sextensiveexperienceinmanagingsuppliernetworksforU.S.Navynuclear−poweredsubmarineprogramswillsupportAustralianindustryinmeetingstringentconstructionrequirements[6][8]ContractDetails−Theinitialvalueofthecontractis9.6 million (AUD) contract to lead the AUSSQ pilot program, aimed at integrating Australian suppliers into the U.S. submarine industrial base over the next two years [2][4][5] - The AUSSQ pilot program is part of the Australian Government's AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, which seeks to develop a sovereign industrial capability for nuclear-powered submarines [4][5] - HII's extensive experience in managing supplier networks for U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine programs will support Australian industry in meeting stringent construction requirements [6][8] Contract Details - The initial value of the contract is 9.6 million (AUD), with options for extension based on performance [2] - The program will utilize a B2B model, allowing HII Australia to work directly with Australian businesses to qualify them and their products for U.S. programs [4][5] Strategic Importance - The initiative is crucial for building a resilient and globally integrated supply chain for nuclear-powered submarines, enhancing Australia's defense capabilities [3][4] - The program aims to establish a sustainable pipeline of qualified suppliers, reinforcing the broader AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK, and the U.S. [8] HII's Expertise - HII has over 60 years of experience in nuclear-powered submarine construction and supplier management, emphasizing quality assurance and safety [6][8] - The company engages with over 2,000 suppliers annually, spending approximately $1 billion, with a significant portion directed to small businesses [7] Collaboration and Support - The contract will be managed by HII's Australian operations in partnership with H&B Defence, a joint venture with Babcock [9] - HII will provide technical guidance and best practices to Australian suppliers to ensure compliance with nuclear submarine specifications [8]