In 2003, more than 150 warships built to the firm's designs, including 60 percent of the U.S. Navy's surface combatant fleet, were on active duty in nearly 20 navies.[citation needed]
History
The firm was founded as "Gibbs Brothers" by self-taught naval architect William Francis Gibbs and his brother Frederic H. Gibbs. The name was changed when architect Daniel H. Cox of Cox & Stevens joined the firm in 1929.[1]
According to company officials, more than 70 percent of U.S. tonnage launched during World War II was built to Gibbs & Cox designs. Ship types included destroyers, LST landing craft, minesweepers, tankers, cruisers, Liberty Ships, and a variety of conversions.[1][2][3]
In 1950, Gibbs & Cox designed the SSUnited States, the largest liner ever built in the United States and the fastest liner built anywhere.
On May 7, 2021, Leidos completed acquisition of Gibbs & Cox for $380 million. Gibbs & Cox operates as a wholly owned subsidiary and is combined with Leidos’ maritime systems division.[4]
On March 4, 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce placed 15 U.S. entities (including Gibbs & Cox) on its export control list, barring the export of dual-use commodities to that business.[5][6]
Ships designed
Among the ship classes designed by Gibbs & Cox are:
Close-up of USS Missouri model built by Gibbs and Cox, on display at the Washington Navy Yard
From 1939 until 1962, the firm operated a model shop that produced high-quality ship models that are considered among "the very finest examples of the steel ship modeler's art ever to be seen."[8] Of these, the most expensive and elaborate was a 1/24-scale cutaway model of the USSAgerholm. This model, which is over 16 feet long, shows the complete inner structure on the starboard, and the exterior on the port.[9]
Another notable model is the USSMissouri as she appeared on September 2, 1945, at 9:02 in the morning, the time of the Japanese surrender. This 1/48-scale ship required 77,000 man-hours to construct, and is as of September 2012 on display at the Navy Museum, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.[8]
Recent contracts
CG(X): "Awarded a Naval Sea Systems Command multi-year contract for program management support, technical management support, ship design support and engineering" in partnership with Alion Science and Technology
Constellation-class frigate: On 30 April 2020, it was announced that Fincantieri Marinette Marine's FREMM multipurpose frigate had won the contest and was awarded a $795 million contract for detailed design and construction of the lead ship, with options for nine additional ships.[10]
DDG(X): Design and engineering support contract awarded in 2022.[11]
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