October 1, 2019
Dear Shipbuilders:
I am excited to re-join the men and women of Electric Boat. Over the course of our 120-year history, the EB team established a reputation for delivering the highest quality and most innovative submarine technology in the world. Our submarines provided our nation with a competitive advantage for over more than a century and will continue to be a critical part of our nation’s defense for many years to come.
This is an exciting time for our company. Our build rate of two Virginia-class submarines a year, and the opportunity to build at an even higher rate, underscores the importance of our work. Our backlog of ships is historic, and I expect to deliver good news soon with the award of a Block V contract.
We are working hard on the design and construction of lead units of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. Columbia, a program of 12 ships, is expected to begin construction in earnest in about a year and will add to an already impressive backlog. To ensure Columbia’s success, General Dynamics and the Navy are investing more than $2 billion in our facilities in Quonset Point and Groton. These facilities will ensure we have the capacity and capability to build submarines efficiently.
We continue to hire and train thousands of new shipbuilders to support this growth. These jobs are vital to our regional economy. We are partnered throughout New England with universities, vocational schools, community colleges, and high schools to recruit and train this next generation of shipbuilders. This is meaningful work that develops important skills, and provides each of us with an opportunity for not just a job, but a career in shipbuilding.
This growth is not without its challenges. Our shipbuilding team—including our Navy, Electric Boat, Newport News, and our suppliers—must simply do better. Our efforts require world-class teamwork. Teamwork is built on trust and alignment toward a common purpose—designing, building and delivering the world’s best submarines. To succeed, we must scale our operations from our current pace while maintaining an unrelenting focus on safety, uncompromising quality, and affordability.
Recently, Electric Boat restated our core values: Value Each Other, Behave with Integrity and Purpose, and Commit to Excellence. While I fully endorse and am committed to these core values, I am accountable to you for ensuring these values are reinforced as part of our EB culture. As I transition into my new role, I, along with the senior leadership team, will work to demonstrate these values on a regular basis. I ask each of you to reflect on and personally commit to each of these values.
I look forward to meeting you as we work together to achieve an exciting future!
Kevin Graney
President
MDA Apprenticeship Application Now Open
Application Window: August 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026 The MDA Apprenticeship Program is a four-year initiative designed to develop a highly skilled workforce for Electric Boat. This program provides three years of on‑the‑job training alongside qualified subject matter experts, combined with classroom instruction across various technical disciplines. Participants gain advanced skills, broaden their expertise, and...Continue reading→
Building 600 Tech Stop Relocation
On Monday, August 3, 2026, Facilities will be relocating the Tech Stop currently located in Building 600 4th Floor East to its new location in Building 130-01 Classroom 7. During this time, please utilize the alternate Tech Stop location: B708 (625 Long Hill Road) Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm The tech stop will resume...Continue reading→
A Message From Mark Rayha: Historic Contracts/Rayha Report
Today marks one of the most significant moments in Electric Boat’s history. As part of its $76.6 billion submarine contract announcement, the U.S. Navy has awarded Electric Boat ship construction contracts valued at $29.5 billion for five Columbia-class submarines and $42.1 billion for nine Virginia-class submarines, along with incentives for shipyard infrastructure. Click here to read the...Continue reading→
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.
