Summary

  • HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries) and Path Robotics signed an MOU on February 17, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Goal: explore using Path’s “physical AI” welding tech to speed shipbuilding throughput and support the workforce.
  • Focus areas include autonomous shipbuilding capability, workforce training to extend automation, and an IP framework for AI-based autonomous welding systems.

HII and Path Robotics signed a memorandum of understanding to explore integrating “physical AI” for welding into shipbuilding operations, with the stated aim of accelerating throughput and strengthening the maritime industrial base.

HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries) is the largest military shipbuilding company in the United States and a global provider of defense solutions across all domains. It became an independent publicly traded company in 2011 after separating from Northrop Grumman and builds a significant portion of the U.S. Navy's fleet.
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HII’s executive vice president Eric Chewning said shipbuilding throughput was up 14% in 2025, and the company is looking for an additional 15% increase in 2026, while emphasizing the need to protect quality as production speeds up.

Eric Chewning (Left), HII’s executive vice president of maritime systems & corporate strategy, and Andy Lonsberry (right), CEO and co-founder, Path Robotics signed a memorandum. Credt: HII
Eric Chewning (Left), HII’s executive vice president of maritime systems & corporate strategy, and Andy Lonsberry (right), CEO and co-founder, Path Robotics signed a memorandum. Credt: HII

Before the signing, attendees toured Path’s factory floor and saw robotic welding demos positioned as relevant for naval fabrication—ranging from heavy foundations to large structural assemblies—highlighting adaptation to real shop variation like fit-up changes, complex joint types, and different materials.

Source:

HII Teams with Path Robotics to Integrate Physical AI into Manned and Unmanned Shipbuilding
COLUMBUS, Ohio, (Feb. 17, 2026) — HII (NYSE: HII) and Path Robotics signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today to explore the integration of Path’s physical artificial intelligence (AI) for welding into shipbuilding operations that could accelerate throughput, strengthen the maritime industrial base, and augment the shipbuilding workforce. The MOU signing ceremony took place at
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