Ingalls is expanding its capacity to support the Navy’s growing demand for ships. Distributed shipbuilding is one of the ways we’re doing that—by allowing more work to happen at the same time while keeping core shipbuilding here at Ingalls.
WHAT IS A DISTRIBUTED UNIT?
Distributed units are ship sections built by trusted partners using Ingalls’ drawings, designs, standards and quality requirements. These partners add capacity that compliments our team. Ingalls oversees their work and ensures every unit meets our quality expectations. When the units arrive in Pascagoula, Ingalls shipbuilders take over—erecting the units, integrating complex systems, performing testing and preparing each ship for delivery. This is the specialized work Ingalls is known for.
WHY DO WE NEED TO DISTRIBUTE THE WORK?
The Navy needs more ships faster. Building select units in parallel at partner sites reduces bottlenecks, strengthens schedules and supports the nation’s broader industrial base. Distributed shipbuilding expands capacity while keeping Ingalls shipbuilders focused on the critical, complex work we are uniquely trusted to perform.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR INGALLS SHIPBUILDERS?
Distributed shipbuilding supports and enhances the work happening at Ingalls—it does not replace it. Our shipbuilders remain responsible for assembling the vessel, integrating systems, conducting inspections and delivering a fully mission‑ready ship to the Navy.
WHY IT MATTERS
The goal is simple: build more ships, deliver them faster and ensure America has the industrial capacity required to meet the Navy’s current and future needs. Distributed shipbuilding strengthens the industrial shipbuilding base while reinforcing Ingalls’ role as nation’s premier builder and integrator of complex warships.
Shipyard 101 connects the different parts of shipbuilding to show how the work you do helps power the Fleet and the warfighters who rely on our ships for decades to come.