The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition is a trade coalition of suppliers of systems, components, parts, and services toward the construction and sustainment of the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers (CVN). Recently, Lisa Papini, chair of the ACIBC and CEO of Dante Valve, responded to questions below from Senior Editor Richard R. Burgess.
Has ACIBC membership increased or decreased over the last year?
PAPINI: The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition is a robust and growing organization representing more than 2,000 aircraft carrier suppliers across 45 states. We continue to see strong interest from suppliers who recognize the importance of a unified voice in advocating for the stability of our nation's defense industrial base. Since our last Action Days event we have added almost 100 new members to ACIBC.
Is the AC supply chain in better or worse shape than last year?
PAPINI: We are incredibly grateful for the CVN 82 advance procurement funding and advance construction authority provided in FY26. Our most recent survey data shows that less than 10% of suppliers are currently operating at full capacity due to inconsistent demand signals and unpredictable funding. As the FY26 funding is placed on contract, it will help rejuvenate idle production lines and inject much-needed stability into the aircraft carrier industrial base.
With all of the efforts to shore up the shipbuilding workforce, how healthy is the workforce of the suppliers?
PAPINI: The aircraft carrier industrial base proudly supports over 56,000 jobs across 45 states. The most critical factor in the health of that industrial base is stable and predictable funding. Our most recent survey data shows that less than 10% of aircraft carrier suppliers are currently operating at full capacity. With a clear and consistent demand signal, we can unlock this capacity and leverage a domestic industrial base that is 100% committed to delivering America's maritime dominance.
Did the well-funded reconciliation law affect the AC suppliers?
PAPINI: Although aircraft carrier programs did not directly benefit from the FY26 Budget Reconciliation bill, we are incredibly grateful for the support in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and associated appropriations bill. Specifically, the advance procurement funding for CVN 82 provided in FY26 will help rejuvenate idle production lines and inject much-needed stability into the aircraft carrier industrial base.
Are you seeing any improvements in aircraft carrier construction schedule stability?
PAPINI: While CVN 82 advance procurement funding was a significant and welcome commitment, true schedule stability can only come from consistent and predictable funding. To the extent that more than 80% of our suppliers support both current readiness and new construction efforts across both aircraft carriers and submarines, stable funding benefits the entire shipbuilding industrial base committed to delivering America’s maritime dominance.
