2022 - Press Release Archives

General Dynamics Electric Boat Awarded $5.1 billion by U.S. Navy for Columbia-Class Submarines

GROTON, Conn. (December 21, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat announced today the U.S. Navy has awarded a $5.1-billion modification of the previously awarded Columbia Integrated Product and Process Development Contract for the Columbia class of submarines, the nation’s next-generation sea-based strategic deterrent.

Electric Boat is the prime contractor on the Columbia program, which will replace the aging Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The District of Columbia (SSBN 826) and Wisconsin (SSBN 827) are presently under construction.

The contract modification has a value of $5,134,324,189. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by October 2030. The award funds advance procurement and advance construction of critical components and material to support Build II (the next five ships in the class), efforts to support continuous missile tube production, enhancements to develop the Submarine Industrial Base, and sustained class maintenance and support.

“This award enhances Electric Boat’s efforts to maintain the Columbia-class production and delivery schedule. Advance procurement of long lead time materials and component construction is critical to the program, and the strategic investments in the development and expansion of the Submarine Industrial Base will help stabilize and grow the supply chain, which increases manufacturing capacity, reduces risk and ultimately drives timely delivery of submarines to the Navy,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat.

At 560 feet long with a displacement of nearly 21,000 tons, the submarines of the Columbia class will be the largest ever built by the United States. Ships of the Columbia class will have a fuel core that will power the submarine for its entire service life, eliminating the need for a mid-service refueling. Electric Boat will deliver the lead ship to the Navy in 2027.

General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs and modernizes nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. Headquartered in Groton, Connecticut, the company employs more than 19,000 people. More information about General Dynamics Electric Boat is available at www.gdeb.com.

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $38.5 billion in revenue in 2021. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com.

General Dynamics Electric Boat Holds Keel-Laying Ceremony for Submarine Arizona

QUONSET POINT, R.I. (December 7, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it held a keel-laying ceremony for the future submarine Arizona (SSN 803) at its facility in Quonset Point. The keel laying is a ceremonial event in which the initials of the ship's sponsor are welded onto a plate to be affixed to the submarine. It marks a milestone in the construction of a ship.

The submarine will be the first U.S. Navy warship to carry the name Arizona since the battleship USS Arizona (BB 39), sunk in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. Several armored-piercing bombs struck the ship, including one which exploded the forward magazines. The sunken hull is a permanent memorial to the 1,177 officers and crewmen who were killed in the attack.

"We are proud to observe this milestone in the construction of the submarine Arizona, a ship which symbolizes the legacy and courage of those who died that fateful day serving their country, a legacy we must never forget," said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. "The capabilities provided by this ship will enhance the reach of America’s warfighters to preserve our nation’s freedom."

"Today is a tremendous occasion, not just for our industry partners who will craft this submarine over the years, but also for all the future sailors who will deploy aboard Arizona, taking her into the oceans’ depths, unseen, but always on call and always ready to counter any foreign threat," said Rear Admiral Jonathan Rucker, Program Executive Officer, Attack Submarines.

The ship's sponsor, Nikki Stratton, welded her initials onto a steel plate to be permanently mounted in a place of honor on the completed vessel. Stratton is the granddaughter of Donald Stratton, who served on the battleship during the 1941 attack. Badly burned, he was discharged in 1942 and sent home, but successfully reenlisted in 1944 and returned to the Pacific Theater to fight in campaigns in New Guinea, the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa. He worked throughout life to help honor the memory of Pearl Harbor and those who gave their lives in service to their country. Stratton died in February 2020 at the age of 97.

"The Arizona will play a pivotal role in protecting our country, our military and allies across the globe," Stratton told the gathered audience. "Our nation's beloved battleship has been lying quietly in Pearl Harbor for 81 years watching and listening for a renewed battle cry. That call has been heard and a new Arizona emerges, reborn, remade and battle-ready."

At the completion of the ceremony, Stratton authenticated her initials and declared the keel "true and fairly laid."

The Arizona will be the 30th ship of the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class fast attack submarines and the first to be equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM). The VPM comprises four large-diameter, vertical payload tubes in a new hull section inserted into the existing Virginia-class submarine design. The tubes enable the submarine to deliver a variety of capabilities, including weapons, unmanned undersea vehicles, and other undersea payloads.

General Dynamics Electric Boat is the prime contractor and lead design yard for the Virginia class, which is the first class of U.S. Navy submarines produced for post-Cold War missions. It is designed to be more cost-effective and modular construction enables it to be equipped to perform a wider range of mission capabilities than previous classes. The company's construction teammate is Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.

Ship sponsor Nikki Stratton, left, watches as Electric Boat welder Bob Hobday completes the welding of her initials onto the steel plate that will eventually be placed on the submarine Arizona (SSN 803).(Photo by General Dynamics Electric Boat) Hi‑Res Photo

General Dynamics Electric Boat to Hold Keel-Laying Ceremony for Submarine Arizona December 7

GROTON, Conn. (November 22, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it will hold a keel-laying ceremony for the future submarine Arizona (SSN 803) on December 7, 2022, at its facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The keel laying is a ceremonial event in which the initials of the ship's sponsor are welded onto a plate to be affixed to the submarine. It marks a milestone in the construction of a ship.

“We are proud to observe this milestone in the construction of the submarine Arizona, a ship which symbolizes the legacy and courage of those who died that fateful day serving their country, a legacy we must never forget,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. “The capabilities provided by this ship will enhance the reach of America’s warfighters to preserve our nation’s freedom.”

The ship’s sponsor, Nikki Stratton, will weld her initials onto a steel plate to be permanently mounted in a place of honor on the completed vessel. Stratton is the granddaughter of Donald Stratton, who served on the battleship during the 1941 attack. Badly burned, he was discharged in 1942 and sent home, but successfully reenlisted in 1944 and returned to the Pacific Theater to fight in campaigns in New Guinea, the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa. He worked throughout life to help honor the memory of Pearl Harbor and those who gave their lives in service to their country. Stratton died in February 2020 at the age of 97.

The event is invitation-only. A live video stream will be available to the public at www.gdeb.com.

General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs and modernizes nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. Headquartered in Groton, Connecticut, the company employs approximately 18,000 people. More information about General Dynamics Electric Boat is available at www.gdeb.com.

General Dynamics Electric Boat Awarded $533 Million Contract Modification for Support of Virginia Class Submarines

GROTON, Conn. (October 6, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a modification of the previously awarded U.S. Navy contract for Lead Yard Support and Development Studies and Design efforts related to Virginia-class attack submarines.

The contract modification has a value of $532,921,125. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by October 2023.

“We are proud to continue to support the design and engineering of Virginia- class submarines to ensure they have the superior warfighting capabilities the U.S. Navy needs to defend our Nation,” said Kevin Graney. “The continued evolution of the Virginia class over the last two decades guarantees our sailors the asymmetric advantage they deserve.”

General Dynamics Electric Boat Awarded $236.2 million Contract Modification for Support of Operational Submarines

GROTON, Conn. (August 12, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a modification of the previously awarded U.S. Navy contract for engineering, technical, design, and planning yard support for operational strategic and attack submarines.

The contract modification has a value of $236,182,606. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut; Kings Bay, Georgia; Bangor, Washington; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; North Kingston, Rhode Island; and Newport, Rhode Island, and is expected to be completed by September 2023.

"The shipbuilders of Electric Boat are proud to continue our role providing lifecycle maintenance and modernization support to the U.S. Navy’s operational submarine fleet in keeping with our mission to provide sailors with the advantage that helps protect our nation," said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat.

General Dynamics Electric Boat Awarded $698 million Contract Modification for Overhaul of USS Hartford

GROTON, Conn. (July 29, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a modification of the previously awarded U.S. Navy contract for the repair, maintenance and modernization of the submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768).

The contract modification has a value of $697.9 million. Work will be performed at the company's shipyard in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in October 2026.

USS Hartford is a Los Angeles-class submarine built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and commissioned in 1994.

"This engineered overhaul of the USS Hartford will enhance its warfighting capability and extend the ship's service life, returning a valuable asset to the U.S. Navy submarine fleet," said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat.

General Dynamics Electric Boat Marks Keel Laying of Submarine District of Columbia (SSBN 826)

QUONSET POINT, R.I. (June 4, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat laid the keel of the submarine District of Columbia (SSBN 826) at a ceremony at its facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The keel laying is a ceremonial event in which the initials of the ship's sponsor are welded onto a plate to be affixed to the submarine, it marks a milestone in the construction of a ship.

The District of Columbia is the first ship in the new class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) being built for the U.S. Navy by Electric Boat. It will replace the 14 Ohio-class (SSBN 726) submarines due to begin to retire from service in 2027. Each class is named for the first ship in the series.

"With the Columbia-class program, the Navy has entrusted Electric Boat to deliver the next sixty years of nuclear deterrence for our nation, continuing the company's legacy of delivering the finest, most technically advanced submarines in the world," said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. "These submarines are critical for our national defense, and will embody the commitment to excellence our shipbuilders bring to their work each and every day."

In attendance was the sponsor of the ship Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the delegate to the House of Representatives from the ship's namesake, the District of Columbia. Upon the successful weld of her initials onto a plate by Electric Boat welder Maria Betance-Pizarro, the congresswoman declared the keel "true and fairly laid."

Since submarines have round hulls and do not have a keel, the ceremonial plate will be mounted in a place of honor on the ship permanently.

Design of the District of Columbia began in 2007 when the Navy approached Electric Boat to assist in the conceptual design of a replacement for the aging Ohio class, which entered service in the early 1980s. The Columbia class of 12 ships will carry 16 missiles each, which in total will represent approximately 70 percent of the country's nuclear arsenal. Submarines are the stealthiest and most survivable of the nation's nuclear triad of land, air and sea-based nuclear weapons.

At a length of 560 feet and displacing 20,810 tons, the District of Columbia will be the largest submarine ever built by the U.S. Its reactor will not require refueling during the lifetime of planned service making the ship more cost-effective to operate and maximizing its time on deployment. In addition to its complement of missiles, the submarine will be armed with Mk 48 torpedoes and will feature superior acoustic performance and state-of-the-art sensors to make it the most capable and quiet submarine ever built.

The District of Columbia is designed for modular construction and construction is under way at Quonset Point with the support of more than 3,000 suppliers from around the country, including major bow and stern components manufactured by principal sub-contractor Newport News Shipbuilding. Outfitted hull modules will be barged to the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., where they will be assembled into a complete hull, fully equipped and tested prior to delivery to the Navy. Electric Boat is constructing a 200,000-square foot assembly building in Groton for the project, which will be operational in time for the first module's arrival in 2023. The building is part of a $1.8 billion investment General Dynamics is making to grow its submarine design and manufacturing infrastructure. Construction of the lead ship is presently more than 20 percent complete.

The District of Columbia is the latest in a continuing relationship between Electric Boat and the country's ballistic missile fleet. The first ballistic missile submarine, USS George Washington (SSBN 598) was designed and built by Electric Boat and delivered in 1959. This was followed by the design and construction of the lead ships in the Ethan Allen (SSBN 608), Lafayette (SSBN 616), and Benjamin Franklin (SSBN 640) classes. All 18 boats of the Ohio class were designed by Electric Boat and built at its facilities in Quonset Point and Groton. The District of Columbia is scheduled for delivery in 2027 and expected to begin its first deployment in 2030. The Columbia class of submarines is expected to have a service life into the 2080s.

General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $38.5 billion in revenue in 2021. More information is available at www.gd.com.

General Dynamics Electric Boat awarded $313.9 million contract modification by U.S. Navy for Columbia-class submarines

GROTON, Conn. (May 19, 2022) - General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a modification to the previously awarded Columbia Integrated Product and Process Contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command. The modification has a total value of $313.9 million.

The contract modification will support submarine industrial base development and expansion for the construction of the Columbia-class fleet ballistic missile submarines as well as additional support for the manufacturing, procurement and delivery efforts for United Kingdom Strategic Weapon Support System kits.

"Ballistic-missile submarines are the critical, survivable leg of our nation's nuclear arsenal and Columbia is the Navy's top acquisition priority," said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. "We are grateful for the steadfast trust and support the Navy and Congress have in Electric Boat as we continue the work we began 15 years ago to deliver Columbia and the next 60 years of deterrence for our nation."

Electric Boat will continue to work with its vendors and sub-contractors to optimize efforts to ramp up production capability and support the increased demand associated with the Columbia program.

At 560-feet long with a displacement of nearly 21,000 tons, the submarines of the Columbia class will be the largest ever built by the United States. The Columbia will have a life-of the-ship fuel core that will power the submarine for its entire service life, eliminating the need for a mid-service refueling and increasing the time the ship can spend on deployment. Electric Boat will deliver the lead ship to the Navy in 2027.