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 pulled off a series of remarkably complicated, precise moves, including:
- Rolling the 184-foot 2B/5 VPM module out of Building 2024 at Quonset Point, across Roger Williams Way, and onto the EB ocean transport barge Holland to be floated down the coast to Groton.
- Slowly guiding the massive module— 7 million pounds riding atop a fleet of ship transfer cars in Groton’s Building 260—over the reactor compartment, a delicate dance that precisely aligned the segments for welding.
- Loading the Weapons Module into the submarine’s bow, which arrived from Newport News Shipbuilding and was rolled off Holland and onto the Groton waterfront.
- And, in coming days, loading the final major component, the Command and Control Systems Module, or CCSM, into Arizona’s bow, which will enable EB shipbuilders to position the bow module for the final hull butt weld between sections 2A and 2B.
“The team has leaned in and chalked up big wins and firsts for the Virginia Program in the past two months here in Groton,” says Program Boat Rep David Jonas. “Notably, the successful offload of the 2B/5 module, the longest and heaviest Virginia module ever delivered to Groton, and two successful end loads in the same week—the Weapons Module and the Reactor Compartment.”
A time-lapse video shows the future Arizona’s 184-foot VPM module offloaded in Groton from EB’s ocean transport barge Holland.
Arizona is the first Virginia fast-attack submarine constructed with the VPM, so the Groton and Quonset Point teams were starting from scratch in some respects. The VPM adds four in-line, large-diameter tubes capable of launching 28 Tomahawk missiles, or a range of future payloads.
“By the end of the calendar year the team will have completed eight major moves, a true accomplishment,” says Program Manager Kevin Zheng. “The team is determined to win each day and march towards the ultimate goal of achieving pressure hull complete by the end of 2026. We have been humming in Groton since we received all of the modules for the SSGN 803 and it’s critical we keep the momentum going.”
The recent successes at Quonset Point and Groton are important to recognize as EB ramps up its production pace to meet the Navy’s goal of two Virginia- and one Columbia-class submarine a year. The wins are also directly tied to the targets laid out in the 2026 EB Now Bonus Program. Achieving Pressure Hull Complete on Arizona is one of the end-of-year goals and a key milestone in the construction of a submarine.
“It allows work to begin tying electrical, piping and mechanical systems together throughout all sections of the boat, bringing onboard systems ‘to life’ for the first time,” says Mike Nowak, EB’s Director of Attack Submarine construction. It also marks the start of major testing of the ship’s systems in preparation for floating the vessel for the first time, he says.
As the first U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Arizona since the loss of USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, SSGN 803 connects EB’s daily work to a long legacy of service. It also represents the future of the U.S. Navy’s undersea capabilities.
“It is essential we all lean in and support Arizona on the path to pressure hull complete and beyond to provide the Navy with the war fighting edge it needs in 2028,” says Leaf, the ship’s manager.
The future Arizona’s 2B/5 VPM module was fabricated at EB’s Quonset Point facility.
EB Volunteers Support Dock Build at Mystic Seaport Museum’s Preservation Shipyard
Sixteen Electric Boat employees volunteered at the Mystic Seaport Museum’s Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard on Saturday, Nov. 7, helping build six new floating docks alongside shipyard staff. The docks will support ongoing work at the nation’s first shipyard built specifically for historic maritime preservation. Opened in 1972, the shipyard maintains historic wooden vessels...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→
From Tanks to Submarines: GD Ohio Workforce Expands Support for the Fleet
When it comes to delivering the submarines the U.S. Navy needs, teamwork across General Dynamics is proving to be a powerful advantage. Earlier this year, General Dynamics Land Systems began supporting General Dynamics Electric Boat by manufacturing structural submarine components at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio. The effort marks a new...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→
Electric Boat’s 2026 Workforce Stars Award Recipient: Scott Hulkow
Electric Boat is proud to recognize Scott Hulkow, structural welder and long‑standing contributor to the D901 clad cell at our Quonset Point facility, as a 2026 Naval Submarine League (NSL) Workforce Stars Award honoree. Since joining Electric Boat in 2011, Scott has demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, technical insight and a deep personal commitment to the mission...Continue reading→
USS Colorado Selected as First Attack Boat for Australia AUKUS Assignment
The Pentagon tapped the Groton-built USS Colorado (SSN-788) to be the lead attack boat in western Australia under the 2021 trilateral AUKUS security agreement. Colorado will be assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West—based at HMAS Stirling outside of Perth—beginning in late 2027, the Pentagon said this week. SRF-West is expected to host up to four U.S....Continue reading→
North Stonington Warehouse Project Reaches Milestone
Electric Boat’s North Stonington warehouse project reached a symbolic milestone Oct. 23 when a heavy crane lifted the final roof joist into place just six months after construction got underway on the massive, 480,000 square-foot facility. Scores of trades workers, project managers and EB officials signed the steel joist with Sharpies before it was raised....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→
