A claim for higher research and development credits cut Huntington Ingalls Industries' tax payments and help send third-quarter profit soaring, the company reported Thursday.

The parent company of Newport News Shipbuilding said third-quarter net earnings rose 44% from last year’s level to $222 million — an increase far outpacing the quarter’s 4% increase in revenue, which reached $2.3 billion.

At the Newport News shipyard, revenue rose nearly 7%, to just under $1.4 billion. Increased activity on Block V submarines of the Virginia-class program and the Columbia-class program, as well as a stepped up pace on the carriers Enterprise and Doris Miller boosted the shipyard’s revenue.

The advance planning contract for the refueling and complex overhaul of USS John C. Stennis also increased revenue in the quarter.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com

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