Number: RL31400
Title: Navy Shipbuilding: Recent Shipyard Mergers - Background and Issues for Congress
Authors: Ronald O'Rourke, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: On November 30, 2001, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) assumed control of Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), bringing to an apparent conclusion a five-year process of consolidation in the ownership of the six private-sector shipyards that build the Navy's major ships. Following NOC's acquisition of NNS, the six yards are now owned by two firms - NOC, which owns three of the yards, and General Dynamics Corporation (GD), which owns the other three. The consolidation of these shipyards under two parent firms raises several issues of potential interest to Congress, including potential savings resulting from consolidation, the potential impact on competition in Navy shipbuilding, the potential impact of shipyard employment levels, and the potential impact of the shipyards and shipbuilding of the political process.
Pages: 67
Date: Updated May 3, 2002