For the first time, Huntington Ingalls Industries has delivered a 3-D-printed metal part to the U.S. Navy for installation on an aircraft carrier --- a piping assembly for the USS Harry S. Truman.

The company's Newport News Shipbuilding division in Virginia is now integrating additive manufacturing into the design and fabrication of components for nuclear-powered warships, the company announced after the delivery.

The part was presented to Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, Naval Sea Systems Command's chief engineer and deputy commander for ship design, integration and naval engineering, aboard the Truman at Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday.

"We are pleased to have worked so closely with our Navy partners to get to the point where the first 3D metal part will be installed on an aircraft carrier," Charles Southall, Newport News' vice president of engineering and design, said in a news release. "The advancement of additive manufacturing will help revolutionize naval engineering and shipbuilding. It also is a significant step forward in our digital transformation of shipbuilding processes to increase efficiency, safety and affordability."

Th company said 3D printing could lead to cost savings and reduced production schedules for naval ships and their parts, including castings and fabricated parts such as valves, housings and brackets.

Last year, HII installed a ProX DMP 320 high-performance metal additive manufacturing system at its Newport News facility after approval of the additive manufacturing -- or 3D printing -- process by Naval Sea Systems Command. Rigorous printing of test parts ensued.

The Truman, a Nimitz-class ship, returned to its homeport on Dec. 16 after an 8-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support NATO allies and European and African partner nations, as well as to maintain U.S. national security interests in the area.

In August, the Truman completed a refit and rest visit for maintenance, training and certification upkeep.

Earlier this month, a metallic 3D-printed part was installed on an operational F-22 Raptor at Hill Air Force Base in Utah for the first time.

Keel authenticated for USNS Newport at Alabama shipyard
Washington (UPI) Jan 30, 2019 - The U.S. Navy laid the keel for its 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport, the future USNS Newport, at Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, Ala.

During a ceremony, the keel of the fast transport ship was "truly and fairly laid" and was authenticated by sponsor Charlotte Dorrance Marshall of Newport, R.I. The board member of the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust signed her initials into the keel plate of the future Newport, which will be the fourth ship named after the Rhode Island city. A completion date wasn't announced.

The keel of the future #USNSNewport (#EPF 12) has been truly and fairly laid by her sponsor, Mrs. Charlotte Dorrance Marshall! pic.twitter.com/N6yM2kFFSS- Austal USA (@Austal_USA) January 29, 2019

"We are excited to celebrate a major milestone in the construction of the 12th EPF of the class," Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager of Program Executive Office Ships, said in a Navy news release. "These ships have proven versatility and capability, allowing them to be strategic assets to our fleet and partners abroad."

The non-combatant vessels are designed to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways for a wide range of activities, including humanitarian assistance and relief operations in small or damaged ports.

It carries a civilian crew under Navy command like other USNS ships but often has military personnel attached.

EPFs can transport 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. The ships include airline-style seating for 312 embarked forces and fixed berthing for 104.

Nine ships in the class are currently operational.

The 10th EPF, the USNS Burlington, was delivered to the Navy last November. Austal USA is currently in production on the No. 11 EPF, the Puerto Rico. The Navy issued Austal contracts in late 2018 for EPF 13 and EPF 14.

Last month, Austal was awarded contracts for the construction of the Navy's next two Independence-class littoral combat ships, LCS 36 and LCS 38.

On Tuesday, Austal USA reported it was being investigated as "separate but related" to an inquiry of the parent company by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

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Navy's Abraham Lincoln CSG departs for COMPTUEX exercise
Washington (UPI) Jan 28, 2019
The multi-ship Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for exercises ahead of deployment to Europe. The ABECSG left port on Friday for its composite training unit exercise, or COMPTUEX, a series of operations and scenarios meant to help the seven-vessel group achieve certification for deployment, the Navy said in a statement on Monday. The group, referred to as ABECSG, is comprised of its flagship, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincol ... read more