Ingalls is located where the Pascagoula River runs into the Gulf of Mexico. It started out building commercial ships, but in the 1950s started bidding on Navy work, winning a contract in 1957 to build 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines.
Litton Industries acquired Ingalls in 1961, and in 1968 expanded its facilities to the other side of the river. Ingalls reached a high point of employment in 1977, with 25,000 workers.
Ingalls also produces offshore drilling rigs and cruise ships, and has done naval projects for Egypt, Israel, and Venezuela.
Ingalls repaired the USS Cole after it was damaged in an attack in Yemen.
In the 1950s, Ingalls attempted to enter the railroad locomotive business. They catalogued an extensive line, but only one locomotive, known as an Ingalls 4-S, was ever produced. It was sold to the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad.