Hi everyone; it’s Kevin. Today is Tuesday, April 13th (day recorded). I wanted to take a few minutes to share some thoughts on two important annual commemorations in the submarine community. This past Sunday, April 11th was National Submarine Day, which celebrates our nation’s purchase of the USS Holland, the first modern commissioned submarine and an important breakthrough for the U.S. Navy. The Holland is considered the world’s first practical submarine and is named for its inventor John Holland.
On National Submarine Day we honor the role the submarine has played in modern defense and the challenges our submarine crews have endured throughout the history of submarines. Over the course of the last 121 years, the men and women of Electric Boat have dedicated ourselves to making submarines safer and more capable, so that we provide our sailors with the greatest and most unfair advantage over our competition. All of this while keeping their safety top of mind. Please take a moment and view the short video on EB’s web page highlighting Electric Boat submarines and the people who build them.
April 10th, this past Saturday, is the day each year we pause to remember the loss of the USS Thresher and the 129 crew and civilian riders on board. On April 10th, 1963, USS Thresher had just completed a nine-month overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in which she received new electronic and sonar equipment and other upgrades and repairs. On that fateful morning, after Thresher had traveled approximately 220 miles off Cape Cod, she began a controlled dive in 100-foot increments. Thresher sent routine messages to the rescue ship, USS Skylark, and at 9:17a.m., Skylark received a garbled message: “…minor difficulties, have positive up-angle, attempting to blow.” Thresher went silent. Skylark attempted to regain contact but there was no response. At approximately 9:18a.m., Thresher was lost.
A court of inquiry gathered the facts and circumstances connected with the loss of the USS Thresher and death of personnel aboard to assign responsibility for the incident. The outcome was that responsibility could not be placed on any one individual or organization, but there were collective failures that most likely led to the loss of the Thresher. Examples included inadequate quality assurance, overconfidence in silver-brazed joints, lack of approved documentation on the ship, inadequate training and schedule pressure. What we do today, and every day since that fateful day, is intended to prevent another such tragedy. As we know, these themes are relatable to problem statements that we see on unplanned events experienced here at EB today, and we must be vigilant in their prevention. Never forget our priorities at Electric Boat: safety, quality, schedule, cost, and continuous improvement, in that order. Safety always first.
As a former submariner and as a leader of a company who builds and maintains submarines, I reflect on the important role our work plays in our national defense every single day. It fills me with enormous pride and a sense of enormous responsibility—emotions I know you all share with me. No matter what your job or role, every one of us has a responsibility to keep our sailors top of mind—that is our higher purpose. Let’s remember the sacrifice and legacy built by all who came before us, and let’s ensure we build on that legacy for all who will follow us.
Thanks everyone; we’ll talk again soon.
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.
