What Electric Boat's does

General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB), founded in 1899 and headquartered in Groton, Connecticut, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD) and the sole U.S. prime contractor for nuclear-powered submarine design, construction, and lifecycle support. Its sole customer is the U.S. Department of the Navy, and it operates within a regulated duopoly alongside Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) under long-standing teaming agreements dating to 1997. The company employs more than 23,000-24,000 people across primary facilities in Groton, CT (118-acre Thames River shipyard), Quonset Point/North Kingstown, RI (125+ acre modular manufacturing site), and a growing multi-site footprint including Waterford, CT, Newport, RI, New London, CT, Honolulu, HI, Kings Bay, GA, and Bremerton, WA. Since designing and building USS Nautilus in 1954, Electric Boat has constructed every class of U.S. nuclear submarine.

The company's core products are the Columbia-class SSBN (12 ships, ~78% GDEB construction share, designed to carry 70% of the U.S. nuclear arsenal with life-of-ship reactors), the Virginia-class SSN (anticipated 30-ship class across five blocks, with the Virginia Payload Module adding large-diameter payload tubes), the Seawolf-class SSN, the Ohio-class/SSGN multi-mission platforms, and the Los Angeles-class SSN, complemented by maintenance and modernization services at multiple fleet-support sites. Underlying technology includes proprietary modular construction techniques (Quad Pack increasing missile compartment modular build from under 2% to over 85%), ultra-quiet electric-drive propulsion, and life-of-ship nuclear reactor design. The company is integrating additive manufacturing (wire-arc via Lincoln Electric SculptPrint machines) and AI-driven planning (ShipOS built on Palantir) into operations to compress construction timelines.

Electric Boat's business model is sole-source and competitive-bid defense contracting with the U.S. Navy. Revenue is driven by multi-year block-buy contracts and contract modifications (recent disclosed awards include $15.4B for Columbia-class, $12.4B for Virginia-class, $9.474B for Columbia lead ship, $642M for Virginia work, and a $17.6B Virginia Block IV award in 2014 - the largest Navy contract in history at the time). Pricing is confidential. Ancillary revenue comes from maintenance and modernization services across U.S. fleet-support sites and from the HSI-Electric Boat subsidiary selling marine industrial electrical equipment. The company does not sell commercially; all revenue is government-derived, with the customer base effectively limited to the U.S. Navy (plus collaborative support to the UK Dreadnought and AUKUS-related programs).

Name

Electric Boat's

Legal name

General Dynamics Electric Boat

Website

https://gdeb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

General Dynamics Electric Boat, founded 1899 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, is the sole U.S. prime contractor designing and building nuclear-powered submarines (Columbia-class, Virginia-class, Seawolf, Ohio) for the U.S. Navy, employing 23,000+ people across Groton CT and Quonset Point RI shipyards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval Submarine Construction and Defense Shipbuilding

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Submarine Manufacturing (SSN/SSK/SSBN) (IMAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Submarine Propulsion Systems Manufacturing (Diesel-Electric, AIP, Nuclear Plant Components) (IMAJAOAF), Submarine Weapons Launch & Handling Systems Manufacturing (Tubes, VLS, Racks) (IMAJAOAI), Submarine Combat Systems & Sonar Manufacturing (CMS, Sensors, EW) (IMAJAOAH), Submarine Modernization, Refuel/Overhaul & Depot Maintenance (MRO) (IMAJAOAO), Submarine Integration, Testing, Trials & Commissioning Services (IMAJAOAN), Submarine Outfitting, Habitability & Auxiliary Systems Manufacturing (IMAJAOAM)

Keywords

• Nuclear submarine construction
• Naval defense shipbuilding
• Submarine lifecycle support
• Ballistic missile submarines
• Submarine engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Groton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Submarine Construction Contracts: Long-term government defense contracts for construction of Virginia-class attack submarines and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. Revenue comes from large contract modifications awarded by the U.S. Navy, typically spanning multiple years with value in billions.
2. Submarine Maintenance and Repair: Maintenance, modernization, and repair services for active submarines at various locations including Groton, Kings Bay, Bremerton, and Honolulu facilities.
3. Industrial Products (HSI-Electric Boat): Sale of industrial electrical equipment including motors, generators, transformers, and control systems through HSI-Electric Boat subsidiary in Hawaii.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, constructs, and provides lifecycle support for nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. The company is the prime contractor for Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and Virginia-class attack submarines, and also maintains the existing fleet of Ohio-class, Seawolf-class, and Los Angeles-class submarines. Submarine construction is performed at the Groton, Connecticut shipyard and Quonset Point, Rhode Island facility, with maintenance services delivered at multiple naval bases.

Product overview

General Dynamics Electric Boat is the world's first and finest submarine builder, established in 1899, offering a portfolio of nuclear-powered submarines and related services. The company's core products include the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines (the nation's top strategic defense priority), Virginia-class fast-attack submarines, Seawolf-class attack submarines, SSGN multi-mission platforms, Ohio-class Trident submarines, and Los Angeles-class attack submarines. These products are complemented by maintenance and modernization services, engineering and design services, and new construction capabilities. Electric Boat operates as the prime contractor and lead design yard, with construction shared with Huntington Ingalls-Newport News Shipbuilding through teaming agreements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Columbia-Class Submarine Next-generation ballistic-missile submarines replacing the aging Ohio-class fleet, representing the nation's top strategic defense priority. Columbia-class submarines feature life-of-ship nuclear reactors eliminating mid-life refueling, modular construction techniques, and will carry 70% of the U.S. nuclear arsenal once fully deployed. Electric Boat performs approximately 78% of construction as prime contractor.
• Virginia-Class Submarine Advanced nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines designed for anti-submarine warfare, surface ship warfare, special operations support, intelligence collection, and surveillance missions. The Virginia class incorporates modular construction and open architecture, with the Virginia Payload Module adding four large-diameter payload tubes for enhanced weapons, unmanned undersea vehicles, and other undersea payload delivery. An anticipated 30-ship class is contracted across five blocks.
• Seawolf-Class Submarine The fastest, quietest, most heavily armed attack submarines in the world, designed for surveillance, intelligence collection, special warfare, cruise missile strike, mine warfare, and anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare operations.
• SSGN (SSGN Conversion) Submarine Multi-mission platforms optimized for conventional strike and special operations warfare, converted from Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. SSGNs can carry up to 154 strike missiles and sustain more than 66 Special Operations Forces personnel.
• Ohio-Class Submarine Trident ballistic-missile submarines among the most effective warships ever built. With 560 feet length, 18,750 tons submerged displacement, and 24 multiple-warhead Trident ballistic missiles, these vessels provide unparalleled stealth and strategic capability.
• Los Angeles-Class Submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet backbone with missions to hunt enemy submarines and surface ships, launch cruise-missile strikes on land-based targets, and gather intelligence. Electric Boat built 33 of the 62-ship class.
• Submarine Maintenance and Modernization Services Life-cycle maintenance, modernization, and repair services for U.S. Navy submarines at locations including Groton CT, Kings Bay GA, Bremerton WA, and Honolulu HI. Services also extend to submarine programs for the UK, Australia, and Spain.
• Submarine Engineering and Design Services Comprehensive submarine engineering and design services delivered by 4,000+ engineers, designers, and support staff. Covers concept formulation through design, construction, maintenance, and eventual inactivation and disposal.
• New Construction Services Submarine construction services including modular construction techniques, Virginia Payload Module integration, and advanced electronic design and data management tools. Construction shared with Huntington Ingalls-Newport News Shipbuilding under teaming agreements.
• HSI-Electric Boat Industrial Electrical Equipment Sale and service of industrial electrical equipment including motors, generators, transformers, and control systems through the HSI-Electric Boat subsidiary. Also provides marine and industrial electrical apparatus installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair for U.S. Navy ships, nuclear submarines, commercial shipping vessels, and wind turbines.

Quantifiable outcome

• Columbia-class will carry 70% of U.S. nuclear arsenal
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• L3Harris TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026L3Harris Technologies secured its largest full-rate production contract to date for submarine communication systems from General Dynamics Electric Boat, covering delivery of 26 shipsets for Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines through 2033. The communications suites use state-of-the-art technology to enhance situational awareness and communications for submarine crews.
• National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The NIUVT is a university-industry partnership with the U.S. Navy and General Dynamics-Electric Boat, University of Rhode Island, and Naval Undersea Warfare Center. The partnership has collectively secured more than $130 million in federal, state, and industry funding to support research, workforce development, and supply chain programs for the maritime industrial base.
• Lincoln ElectricstrategicTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025The Maritime Industrial Base Program is investing in General Dynamics Electric Boat and Lincoln Electric to integrate wire-arc additive manufacturing into the construction of U.S. nuclear submarines. Lincoln Electric produces critical components using four SculptPrint machines at its facility in Cleveland, Ohio, with the goal of cutting lead times and addressing material availability delays.
• Newport News Shipbuilding (Additive Manufacturing Partnership)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, the only two U.S. companies that design and build nuclear-powered submarines, partnered to accelerate AM (additive manufacturing) applications for naval shipbuilding. Lincoln Electric announced collaboration with GDEB on Maritime Industrial Base applications.
• Huntington Ingalls Newport News ShipbuildingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) share construction of Virginia-class submarines in a teaming agreement. Each yard builds particular parts of each ship, alternating hull erection, sea trials and delivery. Electric Boat delivers even-numbered ships; HII-NNS delivers odd-numbered ships. For Columbia-class, Electric Boat performs about 78% of construction while HII-NNS handles bow and stern construction.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Huntington Ingalls Industries / Newport News Shipbuilding: The only other U.S. company that designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines, sharing Virginia-class construction through a long-standing teaming agreement (alternating hull erection, sea trials, and delivery) and performing 22% of Columbia-class bow/stern work. Directly comparable mission, customer, and product.
• BAE Systems Submarines: UK prime contractor for Astute-class SSNs and a key collaborator with Electric Boat on the Dreadnought-class SSBN program. Directly comparable nuclear submarine design/build capability, supplier ecosystem, and government customer model.
• Naval Group: France's state-owned submarine prime contractor (Barracuda/Suffren-class SSN, upcoming SNLE 3G SSBN). Directly comparable as a national nuclear submarine prime with sole-source domestic customer and global export ambitions.
• ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems: Germany's submarine prime (Type 212/214/209) and naval shipbuilder. Directly comparable as a European submarine design/build prime with both domestic sole-source customers and a strong export business to allied navies.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Japan's submarine prime contractor building Sōryū-class and Taigei-class SSKs for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Directly comparable as a sole-source national submarine prime with deep institutional knowledge and government sole-customer model.
• Hanwha Ocean (formerly DSME): South Korea's submarine builder (KSS-III Dosan Ahn Changho-class) and major naval shipyard. Directly comparable as an emerging submarine prime for indigenous and export customers, including potential AUKUS work.
• Saab Kockums: Sweden's submarine designer/builder (Blekinge/A26-class) acquired by Saab. Directly comparable as a focused submarine design and build specialist serving both domestic and export customers.

Others

• BWX Technologies: Sole U.S. supplier of naval nuclear reactors for submarines and aircraft carriers. Comparable as a strategic enabler of Electric Boat's product, providing the propulsion core for every U.S. Navy nuclear submarine EB builds.
• Rolls-Royce Submarines: UK designer and manufacturer of nuclear reactors for Royal Navy submarines. Comparable as a strategic enabler for BAE Systems' submarine program — parallel role to BWXT in the U.S. ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Fincantieri: Italy's largest shipbuilder with submarine construction heritage (U212 Todaro-class via Italian-NTK partnership) and broad naval/commercial portfolio. Comparable as a diversified naval prime with submarine capability and a government sole-source customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GDElectricBoat
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3reg4nv0_wT63VGk6L9fbQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/gdelectricboat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/electric-boat
• Instagraminstagram.com/gdelectricboat

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Electric Boat's