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Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, visited Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, emphasizing modular and distributed shipbuilding. Austal is constructing modules for Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines, reducing man-hours for major shipbuilders.

The Navy is developing the FF(X) frigate program, leveraging similar construction methods to expedite service entry. The first FF(X) frigates will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula.

Austal's investments include $750 million for new facilities to support these initiatives. Caudle also called for an increase in defense spending from 3.4% to at least 4% of GDP.