Hormuz Strait: Military Experts Discuss Timeline for Reopening
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 11 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
Complexity of Unblocking: Unblocking the Strait of Hormuz is a highly complex task that involves multiple challenges.
Time-Consuming Effort: The process of unblocking the strait is expected to take a significant amount of time to complete.
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Analyst Views on HII
Wall Street analysts forecast HII stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 381.790
Low
300.00
Averages
344.80
High
376.00
Current: 381.790
Low
300.00
Averages
344.80
High
376.00
About HII
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is a global, all-domain defense provider. The Company delivers ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation. It delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding (Ingalls), Newport News Shipbuilding (Newport News), and Mission Technologies. Through its Ingalls segment, the Company designs and constructs non-nuclear ships for the United States Navy and Coast Guard, including amphibious assault ships, expeditionary warfare ships, surface combatants, and national security cutters (NSC). The core business of its Newport News segment is designing and constructing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, and the refueling and overhaul and the inactivation of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The Company’s Mission Technologies segment develops integrated solutions that enable connected, all-domain force.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- New Battleship Initiative: President Trump aims to equip the USS Defiant with an electromagnetic railgun, with the ship expected to be operational in a decade, marking a significant return of the U.S. Navy to battleship construction and strategic military capabilities.
- Railgun Technology: The railgun can launch 18-inch projectiles at speeds of 4,600 miles per hour, costing as little as $25,000 per shot, which means the USS Defiant could sustain combat without running out of ammunition, enhancing its operational endurance.
- R&D Progress: The Pentagon has revived efforts to design and build the railgun, with prototype testing scheduled for 2025, indicating a renewed focus on advanced weaponry that could reshape future military strategies and capabilities.
- Investment Options: Investors currently have the choice to invest in BAE Systems stock to engage with railgun technology, although analysts note that the company is not on the list of top investment picks, prompting investors to carefully assess potential returns.
See More
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- Investment Rumors Surface: According to the Financial Times, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's broker sought to make a large investment in major defense companies ahead of the Iran war, although the Pentagon denied the report, labeling it as 'entirely false.'
- ETF Investment Plan: Hegseth's broker contacted BlackRock to discuss a multimillion-dollar investment in its iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF, which has approximately $3.1 billion in assets and includes stocks from major defense firms like Lockheed Martin.
- Poor Market Performance: The Defense ETF has lost 12.4% in the past month since the onset of the Iran war, reflecting cautious sentiment in the defense investment landscape, despite Hegseth's investment plans not materializing.
- Conflict Escalation: With U.S. Marines arriving in the region, the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, indicating a potential escalation of the conflict that could further impact defense industry investment sentiment.
See More
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- Technology Demonstration: The event will showcase GrayMatter's physical AI technology, providing media with the opportunity to film live demonstrations that highlight its efficiency in complex tool manipulation, likely attracting increased industry attention and investment.
- Industry Leaders' Remarks: Following the signing ceremony, HII's Executive Vice President Eric Chewning and GrayMatter's CEO Ariyan Kabir will speak, sharing their strategic visions for defense and manufacturing, which could influence future industry collaboration models.
- Media Participation Opportunity: The event is media-exclusive and requires prior confirmation of attendance, reflecting both companies' emphasis on media outreach, which is expected to enhance public understanding of the applications of physical AI in manufacturing.
See More
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- Massive Contract Award: The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics a $15.4 billion contract to support the construction of 12 Columbia-class nuclear submarines, reflecting the Navy's confidence in the project, which is expected to exceed a total cost of $126 billion.
- Slow Project Progress: Since the Navy first awarded General Dynamics a design contract in 2017, the project has faced delays, with the first submarine not expected to be delivered until 2027, highlighting the complexity and long timelines of military projects.
- Market Share Distribution: General Dynamics will receive 78% of the project funding, while competitor Huntington Ingalls will be responsible for the bow and stern sections of the submarines, illustrating the collaborative yet competitive dynamics between the two firms in this critical defense initiative.
- Investment Value Analysis: Despite General Dynamics' significant role in defense, its price-to-earnings ratio exceeds 22, with a long-term growth forecast of only 10.5%, whereas Huntington Ingalls presents a more attractive PEG ratio, suggesting investors should carefully evaluate the investment potential of General Dynamics.
See More
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- Massive Contract Value: The U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics a $15.4 billion contract for the design and construction of Columbia-class submarines, reflecting the Navy's confidence in the program and likely boosting the related supply chain.
- Total Program Cost: According to the Government Accountability Office, the total cost for building 12 Columbia-class submarines is projected to reach $126.5 billion, with a cost per hull of $10.5 billion, and General Dynamics responsible for 78% of the construction, solidifying its dominance in the defense market.
- Accelerated Production Preparations: The Navy is preparing to begin serial production of the Columbia-class submarines, with the first boat expected to be delivered in 2027, further enhancing the U.S. Navy's strategic deterrence capabilities while providing General Dynamics with long-term revenue assurance.
- Competitive Analysis: Although General Dynamics has a higher P/E ratio, its competitor Huntington Ingalls, focused solely on shipbuilding, is projected to achieve a 14% earnings growth over the next five years, indicating a more attractive investment potential.
See More
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- New Battleship Initiative: The U.S. Navy's plan to construct the USS Defiant, measuring between 840 and 880 feet and displacing over 35,000 tons, signifies a return to battleship construction, with an expected timeline of over a decade for completion, reflecting a strategic shift in naval capabilities.
- Railgun Technology: Equipped with a railgun, USS Defiant could accelerate projectiles to 4,600 miles per hour with a range of 110 miles, and with a cost of only $25,000 per shot, this technology promises to drastically reduce operational costs and enhance firepower sustainability.
- Contractor Selection: BAE Systems has developed the current railgun prototype and may become the primary contractor for USS Defiant's armament, while Japan continues its railgun research, indicating a growing international competition in advanced military technologies.
- Investment Opportunities: As railgun technology gains traction, investors face a clear choice: either invest in BAE Systems stock or abstain, highlighting the market's increasing interest in innovative military advancements.
See More
