After its long service life, on February 20, Electric Boat’s Graving Dock 3 (GD3) pontoon left Electric Boat and traveled up the Thames River to its new home at Mohawk Northeast, Inc. in Groton. In 1978, the pontoon was certified for launching Ohio-class submarines. The pontoon is a 550’ x 105’ steel box weighing 5,000 long tons that was raised and lowered within GD3. When raised, a submarine can be rolled onto the pontoon deck and lowered into GD3 in preparation for float-off.
Since its certification, EB’s pontoon launched 18 Ohio, three Seawolf and 14 Virginia-class submarines. One Los Angeles-class boat, Jacksonville (SSN 699), was launched using the pontoon as a test prior to the launch of SSBN/GN 726, Ohio. In addition, several boats undergoing maintenance and modernization were dry-docked in GD3 including USS Virginia (SSN 774) and NR-1, which were dry-docked in GD3 simultaneously in May of 2007; USS Dallas (SSN 700), which was dry-docked in GD3 March 2007 and USS Memphis (SSN 691), which was dry-docked in GD3 in January 2007.
After SSN 799, Idaho, left GD3 in December 2024, the pontoon was de-certified and preparations began to ready its removal.
“This pontoon outhaul was truly a team sport,” said Pete DiNapoli, senior manager of Ships Management. “This required support from Docking Operations, Facilities, Engineering, Naval Architects, Program Office, Operations, Risk Assessment Engineering, Planning, Safety, Environmental, EBFD, Transportation, Optical Tooling, EB Security, Temporary Services, Tug Operators, Mohawk Northeast and Ships Management, demonstrating unity of effort across Electric Boat.”
At a high level, the outhaul work included removing the pontoon’s bearings, making it watertight, which took the most time and effort, and adding bumpers on the dock and the pontoon to move it safely within GD3 as the team was working with inches of clearance. Since Electric Boat had never removed a pontoon before, the team conducted a series of table-top exercises and a dry run to ensure success.
A new pontoon is being constructed at Bollinger Shipyard in Louisiana and will be installed in Graving Dock 3 this summer.
Powering HeartStrong 50: Thank You, EB Teams—Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!
Thank you to our incredible EB Heart Walk teams, our community partners, and everyone who joined the American Heart Association (AHA) Torch Journey photoshoot. Your enthusiasm and dedication made this milestone truly special. Now let’s keep our HeartStrong 50 energy going—our goal is 50 teams and $50,000 raised for the 2026 AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk on October 3 at UConn Avery...Continue reading→
Speed Cameras to be Installed in the City of Groton
The City of Groton Police Department announced that automated speed enforcement cameras will be installed at several locations throughout the city. The cameras will be installed after the required 30-day public notification period, which began on Aug. 7, 2026. Camera locations: Mitchell Street Thames Street Clarence B. Sharp Highway (Route 349) Police said the purpose...Continue reading→
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→
