Electric Boat achieves a major milestone by successfully completing the development of the necessary Build Authority (BA) Base Capabilities identified for our shipyard to build submarines using the Integrated Product Development (IPDE) tools and processes.
The completion of this two-year project, totaling 92 IT tasks will enable our deckplate mechanics to build COLUMBIA (CLB) and VIRGINIA Payload Module (VPM) utilizing new IPDE tools and processes deemed as good or better than those used to build legacy VIRGINIA (VA). “By achieving this critical milestone, we’ve set the stage for building a new class of submarines utilizing a new tool system and processes. Most EB employees will only experience a culture shift of this magnitude once in a career. It’s exciting to know that we are at the cusp of an extraordinary transformation within our business,” commented Pete Dixon, Design Build Director.
With the completed development of BA Base Capabilities, EB has the ability to:
- Integrate Teamcenter with Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP-II) and Electronic Work Packages (EWP), used by the shipyard employees to manufacture, assemble, and test CLB and VPM
- Display digital models of design products in trades’ work instructions
Adam Giuliano, IPDE BA Lead and Acting Design-Build Manager stated, “This was a tremendous effort orchestrated by the coordination of many employees throughout numerous departments. IT software engineers worked together with countless business and trade representatives to define, re-build, and test software upgrades that are now deployed. Their dedication and hard work in achieving this milestone provides the foundation to build upon our tools and processes so that our shipyard employees will be equipped with the tools they need for success on the work we have ahead.”
While development of BA Base Capabilities is complete, our work is not; validation of those capabilities is key to proving that we are ready to execute submarine construction using IPDE. Processes are being established to enable the proficient use of the new tool capabilities. Employees must demonstrate use of the capabilities in production. This process is underway, initially on prototypes, and increasing in scale to full rate production.
Completion of BA Base Capabilities enables the IPDE program to shift our focus onto efficiencies and opportunities that increase performance, reduce costs, and improve ease of use such as:
- Increase utilization of digital devices on the deckplate using tools such as the Interactive Work Instruction (IWI)
- Tackle long-standing differences in systems to make information more readily available in a user-friendly format that helps our workforce complete their jobs
- Incorporate modern technology such as Augmented Reality into the hands of more trade mechanics
“Electric Boat understands the performance challenge necessary to support the workload expected from the COLUMBIA class and VIRGINIA Payload Module design and COLUMBIA and VIRGINIA class ramp up in construction through the 2020s. This ramp up must be achieved by increasing EB’s employee base of new shipbuilders while concurrently losing many veteran shipbuilders who spanned low rate production to a well-deserved retirement. The completion of this milestone is a key step in progressing IPDE throughout our enterprise to meet the upcoming demand,” commented Kurt Hesch, Chief Operating Officer.
To learn more about IPDE and EB’s Model Based Vision, employees are encouraged to participate in the upcoming Design-Build Trade Show this fall to be held in New London and Groton (and soon to follow at the Quonset Point facility). Information including dates, times, and locations will be forthcoming.
Quonset Point Donation Will Help Keep Mystic Aquarium’s Belugas Cool
Juno, the Mystic Aquarium’s convivial, photo-bombing Beluga whale, will continue swimming in cool comfort thanks to an unlikely chain of events that began 40 miles east in an Electric Boat industrial building at Quonset Point. That’s where EB’s Russ Tatro and Chris Logan were going over plans with a vendor, Carrier Corp., to replace Building...Continue reading→
EB Team Visits Hypertherm as Part of Drive Toward Modern, Efficient Shipbuilding
A team from Groton and Quonset Point headed to New Hampshire-based Hypertherm Associates this week to get a closer look at a modern automated plasma gouging process designed to streamline hull fabrication. The visit was part of a broader effort across Electric Boat to bring more advanced, state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing tools into the shipyard. EB plans...Continue reading→
Kamal Mohamed Recognized as 2026 Hartford Business Journal 40 Under Forty Award Recipient
The Hartford Business Journal (HBJ) 40 Under Forty Awards recognize outstanding young professionals in the Greater Hartford area who are excelling in their industries through their leadership roles. They are driven by success, motivated by challenges and are role models for their peers. These individuals are part of an outstanding class of upcoming business leaders...Continue reading→
Electric Boat Joins Regional Leaders for Military Appreciation Breakfast
Electric Boat employees joined military and community leaders for the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s annual Military Appreciation Breakfast on Sept. 30 at Ocean Beach Park’s Port ‘N’ Starboard. The event provided more than 120 complimentary seats to active-duty service members from the Navy, Coast Guard and Connecticut National Guard. General Dynamics Electric Boat...Continue reading→
One Week Left—Let’s Claim the Torch! AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk: Final Countdown
We are just one week away from the 2026 AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk on October 3, 2026, at UConn Avery Point and this is our moment to finish strong. We’ve built incredible momentum, and now we’re within striking distance of something big. Right now, Electric Boat is holding second place, behind Mohegan Sun by...Continue reading→
803 Section 2B/5 Transported from Quonset Point to Groton
PCU Arizona’s (SSGN 803) Section 2B/5 was successfully delivered to Groton from Quonset Point. At 184 feet in length, this section – which includes the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) – is the largest Virginia-class shipment ever transported. Arizona, the first submarine to incorporate VPM, will be about 460 feet long upon final construction. Section 2B/5...Continue reading→
Remembering September 11
On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers of downtown Manhattan’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., were targeted in a series of coordinated attacks that would leave an everlasting imprint on our country’s psyche. As the events unfolded on that Tuesday morning, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, over 600 were injured...Continue reading→
EBECSA Celebrates 75 Years — Nominate EB Employees Past and Present for Recognition
This year, the Electric Boat Employees’ Community Services Association (EBECSA) proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary. EBECSA was founded in 1951 by EB employees who wanted to create a dedicated, organized way to support nonprofit health and human service agencies in the communities where we live and work. What began as a small employee‑driven effort has...Continue reading→
Atlas Plaque Unveiled, Honoring Plank Owners at South Yard Ceremony
Employees who have worked on Atlas, EB’s new state-of-the-art floating dry dock, gathered in the South Yard on Wednesday, Aug. 26, to unveil a new bronze plaque recognizing the contributions of its plank owners. The event celebrated the teams who helped bring Atlas from Bollinger Shipyards in Louisiana to its arrival in Groton earlier this year. Atlas will play...Continue reading→
Neighbors Meet with EB to Discuss Noise, Lighting and Other Quality of Life Topics
Nearly twenty neighbors of Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard joined company leaders Aug. 25 for a community conversation focused on their quality‑of‑life concerns related to the South Yard Assembly Building (SYAB) and Atlas, the new floating dry dock. The Mayor of the City of Groton, Jill Rusk, also attended. Residents said they appreciated the chance to talk...Continue reading→
