General Dynamics Electric Boat wins $76.6B Navy submarine contract, largest in 127-year history

Published Aug 3, 11:22 PM UTC

General Dynamics Electric Boat received the largest construction award in its 127-year history on July 29, 2026: a $76.6 billion Navy package. The contract includes $42.1 billion for nine Virginia-class attack submarines and $29.5 billion for five Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines, plus industrial-base funding. Electric Boat now employs over 27,000 people and plans to hire 8,000 more in 2026, expanding its workforce in Groton, Connecticut, and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The company currently delivers about 1.3 Virginia-class submarines per year, below the Navy's goal of two, while preparing for Columbia-class production. The article highlights Electric Boat's historical role in building the first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, and its current modular construction process using a 400-foot barge named Holland to transport pressure-hull modules between facilities.