HII is accelerating the use of robotics and physical AI in US Navy shipbuilding through agreements worth up to $900 million with GrayMatter Robotics and Path Robotics. The seven-year arrangements form part of the High-Yield Production Robotics programme and are intended to improve the construction of both crewed and unmanned naval platforms.
The initiative will bring automation into several stages of ship production, including robotic welding, material movement, surface treatment and quality inspection. HII sees the technology as a way to improve production efficiency while responding to workforce shortages and other industrial constraints.
American shipyards are dealing with ageing facilities, limited physical capacity, difficulties in finding skilled workers and continuing schedule delays. HYPR is intended to address these problems by connecting multiple automated processes into a more efficient production workflow.
The programme will initially undergo proof-of-concept demonstrations in 2026, followed by a pilot programme in 2027. Its implementation is divided into development and delivery phases. During development, the companies will qualify autonomous technologies for welding, painting, assembly and inspection. Delivery will then begin with smaller steel structures before moving toward larger assemblies and modules.
HII also plans to expand the amount of shipbuilding work performed outside its own yards. More than 2.5 million hours are expected to be outsourced in 2026, 30 percent above the previous year.
The robotics effort supports a larger US naval expansion strategy. The Navy’s 30-year plan targets a fleet of more than 450 vessels in the early 2030s, while the current battle-force fleet stands at 291 ships. Planned spending includes substantial funding for combat ships, submarines, carriers, amphibious vessels and unmanned surface and underwater platforms.
