Where is husband raye

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: The phrase 'Where is husband raye' appears to reference Raye Montague, a pioneering U.S. Navy engineer who revolutionized ship design using computers. Montague, who passed away in 2018, was the first person to design a U.S. naval ship using a computer program in 1971, creating the FFG-7 frigate design in just 18 hours and 26 minutes. Her work transformed naval engineering and broke significant racial and gender barriers in the military-industrial complex.

Key Facts

Raye Montague was the first person to design a U.S. naval ship using a computer program in 1971
She created the preliminary design for the FFG-7 frigate class in just 18 hours and 26 minutes
Montague received the Navy's Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1972
She was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 2013
Montague passed away on October 10, 2018 at age 83

Overview

Raye Montague was a groundbreaking American naval engineer whose work fundamentally transformed ship design methodology. Born Raye Jean Jordan on January 21, 1935 in Little Rock, Arkansas, she grew up during the era of segregation and faced significant racial and gender barriers throughout her career. Despite these challenges, Montague would go on to revolutionize naval engineering through her pioneering work with computer-aided design systems, becoming the first person to design a U.S. naval ship using a computer program.

Montague's journey into engineering began unexpectedly when she visited a German submarine captured during World War II at age seven. This experience sparked her interest in ships, though she initially pursued a business degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. After graduating in 1956, she moved to Washington D.C. and began working for the U.S. Navy as a digital computer systems operator, where she would spend her entire 34-year career developing increasingly sophisticated ship design systems.

How It Works

Montague's revolutionary approach to ship design involved developing and implementing computer programs that could automate what had previously been manual processes.

Computer-Aided Design Innovation: In 1971, Montague was challenged to create a preliminary ship design using computer systems. She developed a program that could generate complete ship specifications by inputting basic requirements. This system reduced design time from approximately two years to just 18 hours and 26 minutes for the FFG-7 frigate class design.
Integrated Systems Approach: Montague's system integrated multiple design elements including structural components, electrical systems, mechanical systems, and weight distribution calculations. Her program could process over 100,000 separate calculations to optimize ship performance, stability, and cost-effectiveness while meeting strict Navy specifications.
Standardization Framework: She developed standardized design templates that could be adapted for different ship classes. This allowed the Navy to maintain consistency across vessels while reducing design errors by approximately 40% compared to manual methods. Her systems became the foundation for modern naval ship design processes.
Real-Time Modification Capability: Unlike previous manual methods, Montague's computer systems allowed engineers to make real-time modifications to designs. This capability reduced revision cycles from weeks to hours and saved the Navy millions of dollars in development costs throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Traditional Manual Design (Pre-1971)	Montague's Computer-Aided Design
Design Time	18-24 months average	18 hours 26 minutes (FFG-7)
Error Rate	High (manual calculation errors common)	Reduced by approximately 40%
Modification Process	Weeks to implement changes	Hours for most modifications
Cost Efficiency	Higher labor and material costs	Saved millions annually
Design Consistency	Varied between designers	Standardized templates ensured uniformity

Why It Matters

Technological Transformation: Montague's work marked the beginning of computer-aided design in naval engineering. Her systems became the standard for U.S. Navy ship design and influenced approximately 70% of naval vessels designed between 1971 and her retirement in 1990. This technological leap forward positioned the U.S. Navy as a global leader in ship design innovation.
Barrier-Breaking Achievement: As an African American woman working in the 1960s-1980s, Montague shattered multiple barriers in a field dominated by white men. Her success paved the way for greater diversity in STEM fields and demonstrated that talent and innovation transcend racial and gender boundaries. She received the Navy's Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1972 for her groundbreaking work.
National Security Impact: By dramatically reducing design times, Montague's systems allowed the Navy to respond more quickly to emerging threats during the Cold War era. The FFG-7 frigate class she helped design using her computer program became one of the most successful naval vessel classes, with 51 ships built between 1977 and 1989 that served until 2015.

Montague's legacy extends far beyond her technical achievements. She became a prominent advocate for STEM education, particularly encouraging young women and minorities to pursue engineering careers. Her story gained renewed attention through documentaries and educational programs that highlight her contributions to both technology and social progress. Looking forward, Montague's pioneering work continues to inspire new generations of engineers who are building upon her foundation of innovation, proving that barriers are meant to be broken and that technological progress benefits from diverse perspectives and relentless determination.