O-Ring Seal Design: Face Seals for External Pressure
;A pdf of the NRL Memorandum Report 4809, “O-Ring Installation for Underwater Components and Applications,” C. J. Sandwith, (1982), is available at the Global Ocean Design website https://www.globaloceandesign.com/other-useful-references.htmlAcknowledgementsThe author thanks Ray Haworth, Electric Boat, Frank Snodgrass, Mert Ingraham, Chuck Fleming, Baron Thomas, Scripps Institution, and Luigi Zoni, Parker Seal Company, for the design insights they have shared.Citations:Parker ORD-5700, 50th Anniversary Edition, <https://www.parker.com/content/dam/Parker-com/Literature/O-Ring-Division-Literature/
NUWC Division Newport Hosts Warfighters Panel, ‘Cup O’ Joe’ to Celebrate Veterans
storytelling, plenty of laughter and a special presentation for the youngest member of the group.Renner, a resident of Vancouver, Washington, joined the Navy in 1962 as a teenager from North Dakota and soon thereafter reported to the USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN 640), which was being constructed at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. During this time, he completed his certification to become a Navy diver and earned his silver “Dolphins” as an enlisted Sailor.The warfare insignia, first proposed by Capt. Ernest J. King, a submarine commander, in 1923 and approved by the Navy in 1924, is
HII Delivers Virginia-Class Submarine Massachusetts to US Navy
HII announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has delivered Virginia-class fast-attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) to the U.S. Navy.Massachusetts is the 12th Virginia-class submarine delivered by NNS, and the 25th built as part of the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat. It is the fifth Navy vessel named for the commonwealth of Massachusetts.More than 10,000 shipbuilders from NNS and Electric Boat participated in the construction of Massachusetts, alongside thousands of suppliers across the country, including more than 20 in Massachusetts that support Virginia-c
General Dynamics Electric Boat Awarded $1.85 billion Contract Modification For Submarine Production
Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics, announced that it was awarded a $1.85 billion contract modification to a previously awarded contract supporting submarine production. This modification is for long lead time material and preliminary construction efforts for submarine production, as detailed in the June 26 U.S. Department of Defense contract award announcement.“This contract modification allows for the acquisition of critical material and components for Virginia-class submarines that require substantial lead time to manufacture and deliver. It sends a continued
Lander Lab: Selection Criteria for Underwater Cable and Connectors
.souriau.com/en-en/products/connectors/underwater-connectors TE/SEACON (Google “TE SEACON”)Teledyne Impulse https://www.teledynemarine.com/brands/impulse WeTechnologies https://wetechnologies.com/ AcknowledgementsI learned a lot from Ray Hayworth, General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, who shared his experience broadly, spoke at MTS cable and connector conferences, and published design guidelines for use at Electric Boat. R. Frank Busby’s Manned Submersibles text is still a classic and available as a free download (https://archive.org/details/mannedsubmersibl00busb)
Beating the Heat: R.W. Fernstrum & Company Turns 75
farms, placed on the seabed to manage cooling costs.On tsunami early warning buoys across the Pacific Ocean.In the space programs, on the self-propelled barge that moves the solid rocket boosters from Alabama to Cape Canaveral, and on the tugs that retrieve those boosters in the Indian Ocean.On electric boat designs to keep large banks of batteries cool.“We’re in a lot of different projects with a lot of different organizations … things you'd never imagine that we would have anything to do with,” said Sean.Looking BackWhen he reflects on his 60 years with the company
US Navy Launches Attack Submarine USS Idaho
One of the U.S. Navy’s newest attack submarines, the future USS Idaho (SSN 799), launched from General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Groton, Ct. shipyard into the Thames River, August 6.The "float off," or launch, is a milestone in a submarine's construction, marking the moment it leaves the shipbuilder's facilities and enters the water for the first time, signaling the start of final outfitting, testing and crew certification.“Today’s launch is testament to the strong collaboration the Navy has with its shipbuilding partners,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach
Rayha to Succeed Graney as President of General Dynamics Electric Boat
Mark Rayha has been selected to become the next president of Electric Boat, the submarine builder's parent company General Dynamics announced on Thursday.Rayha, who serves as the yard's current senior vice president and chief operating officer, will succeed Kevin Graney, who will retire at the end of this year. Rayha's appointment becomes effective December 1.Rayha joined General Dynamics in 1989 at Land Systems. He became CFO of General Dynamics Mission Systems in 2015. He joined Electric Boat in 2020 and served as CFO from 2021 to 2023. He became chief operating officer in 2023.General
US Navy Christens Submarine Idaho (SSN 799)
Groton, Conn. submarine builder General Dynamics Electric Boat hosted a christening ceremony for the U.S. Navy's new Virginia-class submarine Idaho (SSN 799) March 16.Idaho is the 26th submarine in the Virginia class, designed for the full range of 21st-century mission requirements, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare and special operations support. Electric Boat and its partner Newport News Shipbuilding share construction of the Virginia class in a teaming agreement. Idaho is the 13th submarine in the class to be delivered by Electric Boat.The submarine will be the fourth U.S.
February 2026
