EB President Mark Rayha being interviewed by Tina Detelj of WTNH-TV, News 8 Connecticut.
On Feb. 3, Electric Boat (EB) President Mark Rayha delivered annual legislative briefings to congressional delegations and local leaders in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Rayha provided an overview of EB’s business including an update on key programs, facilities expansion and the company’s hiring and training initiatives.
Rayha reiterated that the Columbia class continues to be the Navy’s number-one strategic priority. “These ballistic-missile submarines will replace the Ohio class and serve as the backbone of our nation’s strategic deterrent well into the 2080s,” he said. “Lead ship District of Columbia (SSBN 826) is 53% complete while the second, Wisconsin (SSBN 827), is 14% finished.” Electric Boat will build and deliver 12 of these ships through 2040.
Describing progress on the Virginia class attack-submarine program, Rayha said that four Block IV ships and 10 Block V ships are currently under construction at EB and Newport News Shipbuilding.
“Last year EB and Newport News delivered Iowa (SSN 797) and New Jersey (SSN 796) to the fleet. EB also completed the USS Montana post shakedown availability (PSA) and the USS Oregon will complete her PSA early this year. This year Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding will deliver the Idaho (SSN 799) and the Massachusetts (SSN 798).”
Rayha thanked the federal congressional delegations from Connecticut and Rhode Island for their efforts ensuring Congress passed funding measures to support submarine design and construction along with critical supply chain issues. “In all, the delegation’s efforts resulted in more than $24 billion in fiscal year 2025 funding for submarines,” said Rayha.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now three years old and China growing its military capabilities, “our nation needs submarines more than at any time in its history,” said Rayha. “The world’s not getting any safer.”
Mark Rayha during briefing at Mystic (CT) Marriott Hotel and Spa, Feb. 3, 2025.
On hiring, Rayha said that EB had added over 4,100 new employees in 2024; approximately 56% were in operations and the remaining 44% were engineers, designers and those in other support functions. “This year, we expect to welcome an additional 3,000 employees to our team, which will make 2025 another significant year of hiring,” he said. “Our rate of hiring at Quonset Point will be roughly what it was in 2024. That number may fluctuate based on our ability to upskill and reduce attrition, which will increase the experience level of the shipyard. The rate of hiring in Groton will match the flow of our supply chain and align with the pace of modules from Newport News Shipbuilding and our Quonset Point facility. Despite a flatter trajectory early in 2025, the future continues to be bright in Connecticut as we continue to increase our hiring to meet the one-plus-two submarine objective.”
Rayha spoke to the importance of pipeline training initiatives in bringing high-quality, motivated new shipbuilders to EB. “These programs bring us the people who experience shipbuilding firsthand and decide it’s for them—they have the grit and perseverance to do this work. In the process, their lives change for the better and they experience how good it feels to do important work for our country.”
Electric Boat Earns Top National Recognition in Military Times Best for Vets: Employers 2026 Rankings
Electric Boat continues to be recognized as a leading employer for veterans, service members, and military families, earning the #76 spot among 247 employers nationwide in the Military Times Best for Vets: Employers 2026 rankings. The recognition highlights the company’s longstanding commitment to recruiting, developing, supporting, and retaining veterans and military-connected talent across our workforce....Continue reading→
On the Waterfront, the Future Arizona is Coming to Life
An intricate, high-stakes choreography in Electric Boat’s North Yard is bringing the future Arizona (SSGN 803) to life as shipbuilders, led by Ship’s Manager Josh Leaf, continue to meet major milestones assembling the first submarine that features the Virginia Payload Module (VPM). In just a matter of weeks, EB teams in Groton and Quonset Point...Continue reading→
2026 Veterans Day Observances
Join us on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, for Electric Boat’s annual Veterans Day observances, as we gather together to honor our service members past and present. There will be ceremonies held for first-, second- and third-shift employees in Groton and Quonset Point. 2026 Veterans Day commemorative pins will be available for those in attendance. If...Continue reading→
Introducing the Native Americans & Indigenous People of Electric Boat (NAIP) Employee Resource Group
Electric Boat (EB) Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce while contributing to the success of our business. Formed to raise awareness and celebrate different cultures, communities, and experiences, these employee‑led groups foster a stronger sense of unity and belonging. ERGs cultivate an inclusive environment where employees can connect,...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 30: 40-Year Dinner Celebrates EB’s Distinguished Shipbuilders
Electric Boat recently held the annual 40-Year Shipbuilder Dinner at the Mystic Marriott, honoring the newest class of Distinguished Shipbuilders for their contributions to EB and our nation’s defense. Watch the latest Rayha Report to hear from a few of these shipbuilders as they reflect on their career in conversation with EB President Mark Rayha....Continue reading→
EB Supports 45th Annual MLK Scholarship Awards
Electric Boat was proud to serve as a scholarship sponsor for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Trust Fund at its 45th Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner. More than 600 community members gathered to celebrate this year’s extraordinary cohort of 2026 MLK Scholars. These 13 outstanding students were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, character,...Continue reading→
Building the Future: EB’s New Central Distribution Hub
In April, Electric Boat (EB) began construction on the new central distribution hub for its warehousing, shipping, and receiving operations at 45 Frontage Road in North Stonington, CT. Since then, the 480,000‑square‑foot next‑generation warehouse facility has quickly taken shape. All wall panels are now complete, and construction is ahead of schedule. The facility will celebrate...Continue reading→
Delivering the Future
Some imagine the future. We deliver it now.
State-of-the-Art Simulator Prepares District of Columbia Crew for its Mission
As construction of the District of Columbia (SSBN 826) continues apace in EB’s South Yard Assembly Building, the sailors who will soon be at the controls are spending hours in a dynamic, high-tech simulator learning the intricacies of operating the 21,000-ton, first-in-class boomer. The Columbia Ship Control Operator Trainer (CSCOT) is a replica of the...Continue reading→
Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Start of USS Groton Sail Monument
Fifty years after the USS Groton (SSN‑694) first launched, dozens gathered outside the Groton Public Library Oct. 9 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the USS Groton Sail Monument. The $6.6 million project—three decades in the making—will honor the men and women who design, build, operate and maintain the Navy’s submarines, as well as the families...Continue reading→
