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Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, visited Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, to discuss advancements in modular and distributed shipbuilding, particularly for Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines.

The Navy's FF(X) frigate program aims to utilize similar methods to accelerate production, with the first frigates set to be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries. Caudle also urged for an increase in defense spending to at least 4% of GDP, supported by Austal's $750 million investment in new facilities.