Hanwha Philly Shipyard (HPSI) has received a contract to build the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) new missile range instrumentation vessel (MRIV).
TOTE Service will serve as the construction manager (VCM) for the Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel (MRIV) program. The contract award is for up to three vessels, with one firm vessel being awarded at this time.
The MRIV design builds on the national security multi-mission vessel (NSMV) platform currently in production at Hanwha Philly Shipyard under TOTE Services’ management. The MRIV will share the NSMV hull design and substantial commonality with the existing platform, helping reduce design and construction risk.
HPSI will build the MRIV using the active production line, existing supply chain, and skilled workforce already in place from the NSMV program.
At approximately 160 meters in length, the new MRIVs will replace Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, which currently support missile range instrumentation missions and were constructed in 1965 and 1970, respectively.
“Hanwha Philly Shipyard is proud to bring our proven shipbuilding capabilities to a program that directly supports our nation’s security,” said David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
“The MRIV program demonstrates the value of maintaining an active, capable U.S. shipbuilding industrial base, one that can take proven platforms, experienced people and established production infrastructure and put them to work for new and increasingly important missions. We are honored to continue our partnership with TOTE Services and to build these vessels here in Philadelphia.”
“Signing the Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel contract and executing the shipyard subcontract brings us closer to delivering the next generation of U.S. defense capability,” said Jeff Dixon, President of TOTE Services.
“Our proven Vessel Construction Management model means we’re hitting the milestones sooner and making meaningful progress faster.”
The vessel will be delivered to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), which will operate the vessel for the MDA.
The program comes as the United States places renewed emphasis on strengthening the nation’s maritime industrial base and expanding domestic shipbuilding capacity to support both economic and national security priorities.