ND Defense enters Navy shipbuilding with USS Sam Nunn crane contract

ND Defense has won an HII Ingalls Shipbuilding award to support helicopter handling crane work on the future USS Sam Nunn, marking one of the company’s first maritime contracts and its entry into U.S. Navy surface combatant production. The work ties the defense manufacturer’s land systems experience to a Flight III destroyer now under construction in Mississippi.

Why it matters: - ND Defense is moving into U.S. Navy shipbuilding at a time when the service’s surface fleet depends on steady industrial production. - The contract gives the company a role on the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133), one of the Navy’s most advanced surface combatants. - The award extends ND Defense’s manufacturing base beyond land systems and into the maritime industrial base.

What happened: - ND Defense LLC won a contract from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. - The award covers helicopter handling crane work for the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133). - DDG 133 is an Arleigh Burke-class Flight III guided missile destroyer under construction in Pascagoula, Mississippi. - The company described the award as one of its first in the maritime sector and its entry into U.S. Navy surface combatant production.

The details: - The helicopter bridge crane is part of the destroyer’s aviation handling system. - The crane provides overhead lifting capability to secure, maintain and service embarked Navy helicopters. - The system is designed to operate in demanding at-sea conditions across a wide range of sea states. - The work will be performed at ND Defense’s West Point, Mississippi facility. - ND Defense will use its in-house fabrication, welding, paint and quality capabilities for the job. - ND Defense and its predecessor companies have built rugged systems for the U.S. military and allied governments for decades. - The company has delivered tens of thousands of tactical and armored vehicles worldwide. - ND Defense said it is applying the same manufacturing discipline, quality rigor and on-time delivery focus to maritime production. - Tim George, vice president of sales and marketing, said the award reflects the company’s focus on rugged, high-quality systems delivered on customer timelines.

Between the lines: - The contract signals a broader push by defense manufacturers to bring land-based production skills into naval programs. - ND Defense’s move into shipbuilding could help diversify its defense business while giving Navy programs another supplier for specialized hardware. - For HII and the broader shipbuilding base, adding experienced industrial partners can help support production schedules and reduce bottlenecks.

What's next: - ND Defense will execute the crane work from West Point as DDG 133 moves through construction. - The company is likely to use the contract as a foothold for additional maritime work. - The future USS Sam Nunn will continue toward service as part of the Navy’s Flight III destroyer program.

The bottom line: - ND Defense has turned a long defense manufacturing record into a first step in Navy shipbuilding, with the future USS Sam Nunn as its opening program.