HII CEO: Company has edge on frigate competition because of amphib work

Huntington Ingalls Industries has an edge on the Navy's guided-missile frigate replacement program because of the "parent design" requirement, according to the company's chief executive.

Mike Petters told analysts today during an earnings conference call that "the parent design is a really interesting thing." Over the past several years, the Navy has moved from "creating a wish list and then trying to jam 10 pounds of requirements in a 5-pound sack."

HII has experience with using a proven design and modifying it to the Navy's needs. This is reflected in both the DDG-51 Flight III and dock landing ship replacement program, according to Petters. The design for LX(R) is based on the LPD-17 hull form.

"We know how to do that, it's right in our lane of how do we create more capability and investment in those ships," he continued.

In August, HII revealed the company may offer a variant of its National Security Cutter in the FFG(X) competition.