HII, America’s largest military shipbuilder, has noted a 14 percent increase in throughput at its shipyards over the past year. In an exclusive interview, Eric Chewning, executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy, discussed the integration of advanced technologies, particularly AI, within the traditional shipbuilding industry.
Chewning highlighted the unique challenges posed by the shipbuilding process, which often requires a multitude of distinct tasks, contrasting it with sectors that benefit from repetitive manufacturing. He emphasized the importance of change management, focusing on pilot projects and developing internal advocates to ease the transition towards AI technologies.
Collaborations with companies like C3 AI have shown promise, particularly in machine shop planning, where pilot programs have led to substantial improvements in scheduling. However, Chewning acknowledged the difficulties in applying AI across naval shipbuilding due to fragmented data systems and the bespoke nature of production data.
To tackle these challenges, HII is working on establishing a digital thread to unify various systems, which will enable better optimization of production schedules. Chewning’s previous role as deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy provides him with insights into the ongoing industrial base challenges highlighted in the Executive Order 13806 report.