By Erik Walsh, NTO Electrical Production Radiological Controls Operations Supervisor
August 7, 2018
If you ever feel you haven’t been given the chance to come to the table with a better way of doing something, I ask you to look to your drawings, references, and procedures. These represent the recorded voices of your teammates, who are responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of our nuclear submarines. These documents are the output of many challenges encountered — they are the combined answers to the “how to” questions. Trust the hard work that has gone into making these processes, and procedures; it will keep you safe and ensure that what you are trying to do is appropriate.
Each time a document revision is put into use, it signals that an individual has come to the table with a new way of doing something. It is our responsibility to those that have come before and certainly to those that will come after us, to develop safer, more-efficient solutions. Come to the table, provide your input, and improve our team.
Installing and protecting nuclear instruments is significantly important to EB, specifically to the nuclear trades and test groups. History has shown that the detectors have the possibility of being damaged at every phase from construction through install and need significant protection until delivery of the reactor compartment (RC). Many proposals have been implemented to improve our methods of protecting the detectors.
Staging in the RC has been reconfigured by Manufacturing Engineering (D467) to support detector installation earlier in the construction process. Previously, temporary staging was welded to the deck, delaying installation of some detectors until a month after others. This deferred NTO analysis of the detector integrity, which further delayed identifying problems. Communication of the difficulties associated with the install was critical to starting the discussion and revisiting how and when we build and install components in the RC.
NTO recently implemented the use of custom cases to safeguard the detectors and provide detector location assignment information in support of install. In the past, wooden shipping crates housed all components of the detector at receipt. The crates were then reconfigured to house the NTO-built detector for transportation to the RC. The detector and supplemental pieces would travel in different containers to be rigged into the RC at the time of install. Using the new cases and improving handoffs during the procedure, NTO (with assistance from Carpenters D252 and Riggers D230) was able to safely and effectively install these detectors on the 793 boat (Oregon) in four days – that’s 60% fewer days compared to previous typical installations!
Additionally, D274 NTO/NSM has implemented protective covers, Tygon tubing, and markings to further protect the cables until the RC construction is complete. In the past, detector cabling was not sufficiently protected to prevent damage, resulting in costly repairs and rework. These protective covers are of significant importance and must not be removed without proper authorization and coordination with Nuclear Ship’s Management.
Electric Boat featured in latest episode of ‘Cast in Steel’
General Dynamics Electric Boat is featured in the latest episode of Cast in Steel, a web series that showcases the leaders of America’s steel industry as part of their competition to promote careers in metalworking. The Cast in Steel team visited our Quonset Point facility to highlight how EB’s shipbuilders transform flat steel into nuclear...Continue reading→
EB’s Groton Shipyard Celebrates 100 Years of Submarine Construction
The first submarine ever built in Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard slid gracefully from its ways into the Thames River 100 years ago, taking to the water with “scarcely a splash” before a crowd of 1,500, according to newspaper accounts at the time. A century after the 800-ton, 200-foot-long R2 was launched, EB shipbuilders continue to...Continue reading→
President Trump Gives Our Submarines a Shoutout at Pennsylvania Innovation and Defense Summit
During his remarks at the Pennsylvania Innovation and Defense Summit held on July 15 at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, President Donald Trump introduced attendee Danny Deep, president of General Dynamics. In his quick words to Danny, President Trump recognized General Dynamics for building “the greatest submarines in the world.” Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 23: Matt Olander Honored by UConn College of Engineering
In this episode of the Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Matt Olander, senior vice president of programs and engineering, about his personal career journey and recent return to UConn’s College of Engineering as an honorary degree recipient and 2026 commencement speaker. Watch Matt’s commencement speech on the UConn College of Engineering YouTube channel.Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 22: Run to Home Base 2026
In his latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha talks with Run to Home Base co-chair Tammee Sweck and runners Amy and Greyson Stephenson about why this annual fundraiser means so much to our veterans, service members, and their families. Learn how Team General Dynamics is preparing for the July 25 event at Fenway Park...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 21: Backstage With Chris Stapleton
In the latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha hit the road for a backstage chat with American singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Stapleton. Chris is not only an extraordinary artist, but someone whose values resonate deeply with the people of Electric Boat: pride in craftsmanship, respect for hard work and a genuine love for this...Continue reading→
Happy Fourth of July
As America marks its 250th birthday, we celebrate the generations of shipbuilders whose skill and commitment have strengthened our nation, and especially thank our current generation of EB shipbuilders for all you’re doing to meet this challenging moment in history. Happy Fourth of July.
Electric Boat and SENEDIA Celebrate 10,000-Graduate Milestone
We are proud to recognize a major workforce milestone with the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA), one of Electric Boat’s key training and workforce development partners. At an event on July 1, 2026, held at the Westerly Education Center, SENEDIA celebrated the 10,000th graduate to complete the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership—a regional...Continue reading→
Safety Update: Installation of Speed Tables on Eastern Point Road
In an effort to increase safety at Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard, two speed tables are being installed across Eastern Point Road this week. The tables, a few inches tall and marked with yellow stripes, are designed to slow vehicle traffic in an area frequented by pedestrians. The first speed table crosses Eastern Point Road just...Continue reading→
EB firefighters recognized for life-saving rescues
Five members of the Electric Boat Fire Department in Groton were recognized for perilous, life-saving rescues during a pair of multi-alarm fires that engulfed apartments in Groton and New London in 2025. Firefighters Thomas Gugliotti, Arthur Keaten, Theodore Bartkoski, James Brady and Capt. Ryan Boulanger were each presented with Lifesaving Awards and the prestigious 2026...Continue reading→
