Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, recently visited Huntington Ingalls Industries‘ Newport News Shipbuilding facility for a look into the construction process and progress on two aircraft carriers.
HII said Thursday Kendall was given a 3-D model demonstration of the adjustments to the John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) aircraft carrier based on results from work on the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).
“We understand that Mr. Kendall has a difficult job, and we appreciate that he took the time to visit our operations and see everything we are doing to deliver ships as cost-effectively as we can,” said Matt Mulherin, Newport News Shipbuilding president.
Also present during the tour were Mike Petters, HII president and CEO; Rear Adm. Thomas Moore, the Navy‘s program executive officer for aircraft carriers; and Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.
Kendall is charge of the Defense Department‘s acquisition, contract administration, research and engineering and logistics and materiel readiness activities, among others, as well as the defense industrial base.