Mission & History
We are committed to providing the highest quality design and engineering products and services to each and every customer. We build upon a substantial history with roots long entrenched in these values, beginning even before our formal founding in 1929.
Since our founding in 1929, 24 classes of combatants and nearly 7,000 vessels have been built to G&C designs. We proudly support military and commercial clients in the U.S. and internationally with all phases of marine design, construction, and lifecycle management. We are dedicated to providing maritime innovations for the 21st century.
Driven by a fascination with ships and naval architecture, William Francis Gibbs began designing ships. William never received a formal engineering degree. He was self-taught and singularly focused on engineering higher caliber and more capable ships than his contemporaries. Gibbs was a pioneer in the areas of efficient hull design and propulsion and a staunch advocate for high standards of fire prevention and hull integrity. We continue to embody the spirit of our founder today.
William and his brother, Frederic Herbert Gibbs, founded Gibbs Brothers, Inc. The first major project was to convert the former German Vaterland, a remnant of World War I, into the American luxury liner SS Leviathan.
Gibbs Brothers, Inc. partnered with Daniel H. Cox, a noted yacht designer, to form Gibbs & Cox, Inc., which would soon develop into the world’s preeminent independent naval architecture and marine engineering design firm.
During World War II, Gibbs & Cox was the leader in shaping the U.S. maritime forces. During this time, over 5,400 ships were built from Gibbs & Cox, Inc. designs. These designs included destroyers, destroyer escorts, light cruisers, landing ships and amphibious assault vessels, minesweepers, icebreakers, tankers and tenders. Our firm ensured the delivery of exceptional ships by using fleet feedback to constantly implement improvements in our ship design and construction.
Gibbs & Cox also designed the famous, standardized cargo-carrying Liberty ships of World War II. We were instrumental in the implementation of modular construction, centralized material and equipment procurement, and design-for-production features that became the foundation of cost-effective shipbuilding today.
Gibbs & Cox was responsible for the central procurement of all materials and equipment. At its peak, the firm issued 10,000 blueprints a day.
Our signature ship is the oceangoing passenger superliner SS UNITED STATES. The SS United States was the largest and fastest passenger vessel ever constructed in the US, upon completion in 1952.
To this day, the SS United States is considered the greatest American ocean liner ever built. She established the transatlantic speed record on her maiden voyage, averaging 35.6 knots and winning the Hales Trophy and coveted Blue Riband for the fastest crossing. The ship remained in operation until 1969.
G&C designed the FFG-7, Oliver Hazard Perry or “fig seven” Class Frigates, in partnership with Bath Iron Works shipyard.
The ship was the first to be designed by computer and the second US Navy ship to be built with gas turbine propulsion.
71 vessels were planned and completed, and many are still in service today, sailing for international partners all around the globe.
In the 1980s, Gibbs & Cox designed the USS Arleigh Burke Destroyers (DDG-51). Arleigh Burke’s design includes stealth technology.
In the early 2000s, Gibbs & Cox designed the Freedom Variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The ship is a semi-planing steel monohull with an aluminum superstructure.
The ship design incorporates a large reconfigurable seaframe to allow rapidly interchangeable mission modules, a flight deck with integrated helicopter launch, recovery and handling system and the capability to launch and recover boats (manned and unmanned) from both the stern and side.
In 2007, G&C founded Gibbs & Cox, Australia to further support our growing global footprint and partnership with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). GCA opened their office in the Canberra suburb of Manuka and have staff residing in Canberra and Adelaide. GCA currently supports multiple RAN programs, including SEA1000, SEA 5000, and SEA 1180.
In December of 2015, Gibbs and Cox acquired the renowned Naval Architecture & Naval Engineering firm, Donald L. Blount and Associates, Inc. (DLBA).
DLBA specializes in the full design, construction management, testing and service life support of motor yachts, commercial, military and paramilitary vessels, technology demonstrators, prototypes, and recreational vessels.
G&C Expands into Cybersecurity and Autonomy. In order to meet our client’s needs and drive the future of unmanned surface vessel technology, we collaborate with industry and R&D leaders in HM&E system design, reliability, and Artificial Intelligence to develop and field unmanned surface vehicles that will have the ability to operate for long durations without human intervention.
G&C Teams with Fincantieri to Design The FFG(X). As part of the Fincantieri Team, Gibbs & Cox will serve as the design agent on the program and will build upon their long-standing partnership with the shipyard.
Gibbs & Cox Joins Leidos!
On May 7, 2021, Leidos Holding, Inc. announced the completed acquisition of Gibbs & Cox, Inc. G&C now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary and has combined with Leidos’ maritime systems division.
G&C and Leidos make a great combination! Our world-class naval architecture, design, and engineering services combined with Leidos’ speed, security, and scale will significantly enhance our combined offerings in the fast growing maritime undersea, autonomous, and cyber security segments.
About Leidos
Leidos is a Fortune 500® information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 39,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers.
For more information, visit www.leidos.com.
