ND Defense wins first Navy shipbuilding contract for USS Sam Nunn

ND Defense has landed a contract from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding to support helicopter handling crane work on the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The award gives the company an entry point into U.S. Navy surface combatant production and expands its work from land systems into the maritime industrial base.

Why it matters: - ND Defense is moving into U.S. Navy surface shipbuilding for the first time. - The contract adds another supplier to the maritime industrial base as the Navy pushes to keep destroyer production on schedule. - The helicopter bridge crane is a mission-critical part of the ship’s aviation handling system.

What happened: - ND Defense LLC won a contract from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. - The work supports 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 award is among ND Defense’s first contracts in the maritime sector. - The contract marks ND Defense’s entry into U.S. Navy surface combatant production.

The details: - The helicopter bridge crane provides the overhead lifting capability needed to secure, maintain and service embarked Navy helicopters. - The system must operate in demanding at-sea conditions. - The crane is integral to the ship’s ability to operate aircraft safely across a wide range of sea states. - ND Defense said its work builds on decades of experience making rugged systems for the U.S. military and allied governments. - The company says that heritage includes tens of thousands of tactical and armored vehicles fielded around the world. - The work will be performed at ND Defense’s West Point, Mississippi facility. - That facility will contribute in-house fabrication, welding, paint and quality capabilities. - ND Defense is headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan. - ND Defense maintains direct sales presence across the United States, the Middle East, South America and Eastern Europe. - The company’s website is nddefense.com.

Between the lines: - The award gives ND Defense a foothold in a new defense market where production discipline and quality control are critical. - The company is betting that its land-systems manufacturing base can translate into naval hardware work. - HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding continues to rely on a wider supplier network as it builds one of the Navy’s most advanced destroyer classes. - Tim George, vice president of sales and marketing at ND Defense, said the award reflects the company’s focus on rugged, high-quality systems delivered on customer timelines.

What's next: - ND Defense will execute the crane work in West Point while the USS Sam Nunn moves through construction in Pascagoula. - The company is positioning itself for additional maritime work as it builds experience in the sector. - The Navy will eventually use DDG 133 as one of its most advanced surface combatants.

The bottom line: - ND Defense has turned a long history in military manufacturing into a first step inside Navy shipbuilding.