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Hanwha Philly Shipyard awarded $2B contract to build 2 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, announced by White House OMB Director Russ Vought. The ships will replace the aging Pacific Tracker (built 1965) and Pacific Collector (built 1970), which monitor ballistic missile tests in the Pacific for the Missile Defense Agency. The first vessel, named 'Golden Defender,' is scheduled for delivery in June 2030 and will support President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system. TOTE Services will serve as vessel construction manager. The announcement came during the christening of the DOT's fourth national security multi-mission vessel, Lone Star State, at the Philadelphia shipyard.
Source report
Hanwha Philly Shipyard has been selected to construct 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 on 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
- The shipyard, in collaboration with TOTE Services, has delivered four NSMVs to the Maritime Administration.
- A fifth NSMV is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
MRIV Construction
TOTE Services will serve as the vessel construction manager for the two MRIVs, according to a Hanwha release.
The shipyard — a subsidiary of South Korea’s 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.
The two ships operate on behalf of the Missile Defense Agency, monitoring and collecting data on ballistic missile tests in the Pacific Ocean.
Key Details
- The first MRIV, named “Golden Defender,” is slated for delivery in June 2030.
- The vessel will also support President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system, Vought stated during the ceremony.
“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. 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.”
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— Russ Vought, White House OMB Director
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
Navy TimesWestern
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Hanwha Philly Shipyard Wins $2B Contract for Two Missile-Tracking Vessels