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Hanwha Philly Shipyard wins $2 bln contract to build two missile-tracking vessels for Pentagon
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The Hanwha Philly Shipyard has been awarded a $2 billion contract to build two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs) for the Pentagon, replacing the aging Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector. The announcement was made by White House OMB Director Russ Vought during the christening of a national security multi-mission vessel. The first MRIV, named 'Golden Defender,' is scheduled for delivery in June 2030 and will support the Missile Defense Agency's ballistic missile test monitoring in the Pacific, as well as President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system. TOTE Services will serve as vessel construction manager. The shipyard, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Group, has previously delivered four NSMVs to the Maritime Administration.
Source report
Hanwha Philly Shipyard has been selected to build two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs) for the Pentagon under a $2 billion contract, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced Friday.
The announcement came during the christening of the Department of Transportation’s fourth national security multi-mission vessel (NSMV) — the Lone Star State — which will be used to train the next generation of merchant mariners at Texas A&M Maritime Academy, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation release.
NSMV Deliveries and Future Plans
The shipyard, in collaboration with TOTE Services, has delivered four NSMVs to the department’s Maritime Administration. A fifth NSMV is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
MRIV Construction and Management
TOTE Services will serve as the vessel construction manager for the two MRIVs, according to a Hanwha release.
The shipyard — a subsidiary of the South Korean Hanwha Group — was selected to build the new missile-tracking vessels, which will replace the aging Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, constructed in 1965 and 1970, respectively.
Mission and Timeline
The two ships, operating on behalf of the Missile Defense Agency, monitor and collect data on ballistic missile tests in the Pacific Ocean.
The first MRIV, named the Golden Defender, is scheduled for delivery in June 2030. Vought stated that the vessel will also support President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system.
“It is thus my honor to announce the awarding of a contract to build the newest Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel ‘Golden Defender’ right here in Philadelphia under the combined management of Hanwha Philly and TOTE Services as the vessel construction manager,” Vought said. “This new ship will not only support the President’s policy of restoring America’s Maritime Dominance, but also support the President’s ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system over the entirety of our nation. Golden Defender will serve the Missile Defense Agency in this mission.”
About the Author
Claire Barrett is an editor and military history correspondent for Military Times. She is also a World War II researcher with an affinity for Sir Winston Churchill and Michigan football.
Source
Military TimesWestern
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Hanwha Philly Shipyard Wins $2B Contract for Two Missile-Tracking Vessels