In Memoriam: Fred Harris – Former Electric Boat Employee and General Dynamics Leader

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​​Fred Harris ​​pioneered the transformation of Electric Boat’s design/build processes.

The Electric Boat team recently learned of the passing of a former employee and significant leader in General Dynamic’s Marine businesses. Fred Harris died Friday, October 24, at the age of 80.

Fred Harris was an Electric Boat legend; one of our most memorable and influential leaders. Fred was known at Electric Boat as the “father of the Virginia-class submarine program.” Fred’s thorough knowledge of ship design and construction processes, implementation of cutting-edge modular design and build practices, and his relentless drive to raise the bar in achieving new standards of excellence earned him a succession of promotions at Electric Boat, including vice president and Virginia-class program manager, vice president of Programs and senior vice president of Programs. He also served as president of General Dynamics NASSCO and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.

Fred served as an officer with both the U.S. Naval Reserve and the U.S. Merchant Marines, having received his commission in 1967 upon his graduation from Maine Maritime Academy. In the Merchant Marines, Fred sailed on various U.S. flag vessels, most notably aboard the SS Transglobe—the most decorated American merchant ship of the Vietnam War. Following his sailing career which he completed as chief engineer, he entered Babson College where he received his MBA in 1972, graduating with distinction. Soon after graduation, Fred began his shipbuilding career as a senior systems engineer for Electric Boat in the Trident nuclear submarine project.

In the early days of the Virginia-class design effort, Fred pioneered the transformation of Electric Boat’s design/build processes. The Virginia submarine was the first ship designed to be manufactured using modular construction processes. Our traditional “drawing board approach” was replaced with state-of-the-art integrated computer-driven 3D visualization and production control processes. Embedding experienced shipbuilder “know-how” into the design process improved design quality and reduced construction time and cost. Fred raised the standards for submarine program excellence, resulting in the Virginia Submarine Program receiving the Packard Award for Program Excellence. Many of the tools and techniques he developed are still in use today.

If you’ve consulted the EB Writing Guide, checked on status of actions using a Commitment Report or attended a Program Breakfast Club, you will recognize Fred’s legacy. In addition to shaping Electric Boat’s program-management approach, Fred left an enduring mark on our workforce as he shaped and mentored many of our past and current leaders.

Fred Harris is survived by his wife Peggy, his two children and three grandchildren.​

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