On February 9, 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited Electric Boat at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, as part of his nationwide “Arsenal of Freedom” tour, a call to action to rapidly revitalize the American defense industrial base.
In addition to GDEB, Hegseth’s Rhode Island stops included Anduril and the Seabees Museum before he and his entourage continued to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., General Dynamics and Electric Boat senior leadership welcomed the Secretary and provided an executive overview. Secretary Hegseth then toured the Columbia missile tube and automated frame and cylinder fixtures and was briefed on the processes. His tour continued to the 9-Series Outfitting Building where he toured Virginia-class outfitting, featuring the last module for the lead Virginia Payload Module (VPM) submarine, SSN 803 Arizona.
“This visit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share our incredible achievements with the most senior person at the Pentagon,” said Charles Montalbano, VP of EB’s Quonset Point facility. “The Secretary of War also personally thanked our shipbuilders for the role we play in our nation’s security.”
The tour continued with the Columbia-class outfitting lane. In Bay 6 of the 9-Series Building, Hegseth was greeted by 3,000 enthusiastic Quonset Point shipbuilders and 40 submarine crew members.
Hegseth addressed the group, reinforcing the message that our national security and the peace of the world move at the speed of our Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and rely on the hard work of our American workforce.
“I want to thank all of you for what you do,” said Hegseth. “All of you are contributing to the warfighter. It’s always inspiring to stand among patriots who are building our nation’s firepower.”
In his remarks, he highlighted the three pillars of his mission:
- Reviving the warrior ethos to create the most lethal fighting force on the planet
- Rebuilding the military so our warfighters are never in a fair fight
- Re-establish deterrence
Hegseth signed a steel plaque that will be mounted on the Bay 6 door of the 9-Series Building. The words he transcribed, “keep going,” are a reminder of how crucial EB submarines are for our Navy and nation.
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.
Electric Boat and SENEDIA Celebrate 10,000-Graduate Milestone
We are proud to recognize a major workforce milestone with the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA), one of Electric Boat’s key training and workforce development partners. At an event on July 1, 2026, held at the Westerly Education Center, SENEDIA celebrated the 10,000th graduate to complete the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership—a regional...Continue reading→
Safety Update: Installation of Speed Tables on Eastern Point Road
In an effort to increase safety at Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard, two speed tables are being installed across Eastern Point Road this week. The tables, a few inches tall and marked with yellow stripes, are designed to slow vehicle traffic in an area frequented by pedestrians. The first speed table crosses Eastern Point Road just...Continue reading→
EB firefighters recognized for life-saving rescues
Five members of the Electric Boat Fire Department in Groton were recognized for perilous, life-saving rescues during a pair of multi-alarm fires that engulfed apartments in Groton and New London in 2025. Firefighters Thomas Gugliotti, Arthur Keaten, Theodore Bartkoski, James Brady and Capt. Ryan Boulanger were each presented with Lifesaving Awards and the prestigious 2026...Continue reading→
The Barnacle: Parking Enforcement That Sticks
Meet the Barnacle, Electric Boat’s newest parking-enforcement tool that will begin deployment in the Groton shipyard starting Monday, June 15. As our enterprise continues to grow, we are dedicated to ensuring parking is safe, fair and accessible to all. The Barnacle is an immobilizing parking-enforcement device that attaches directly to a vehicle’s windshield using heavy-duty,...Continue reading→
Honoring the U.S. Army Birthday
June 14th marks the 251st Birthday of the United States Army, a moment to honor the enduring legacy, bravery, and sacrifice of those who have worn the Army uniform since 1775. As the oldest branch of the U.S. military, the Army has played a vital role in shaping our nation’s history and safeguarding its freedoms....Continue reading→
