VideoRay awarded $92 million for MK20 Mission Defender USV development
The most recent announcement follows other announcements last year. (Photo: VideoRay)
The US Navy (USN) has awarded VideoRay an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for its MK20 Mission Specialist Defender ROV platform in support of the service’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Underwater Response Vehicle programme.
Described as Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) Production, the deal is worth US$92 million and provides for hardware, software, repairs, training, technical assist visits, and ancillary components. This will support the continuous production, sustainment, and development of the platform.
In May last year, the company received a $16.1 million order for Mission Specialist Defender ROVs and related components for the MESR. This brought total USN procurement of the system to $49 million since the announcement of a Production-Other Transaction Agreement (P-OTA).
Under the MESR Programme, the USN plans to upgrade the baseline vehicle with incremental updates to sensors, autonomy, tools and manipulators in order to provide enhanced capability to the EOD operator, further increasing standoff and decreasing risk.
The platform weighs 17.2 kg and has a control unit of similar weight. It measures 71.12cm long, 39.37cm wide and 23.8cm high and can operate to a depth of 1,000m.
The platform has four vectored horizontal thrusters, forward, rear and one on each side, and three vertical thrusters.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Intermarine and Leonardo unite for Italian Navy minehunter contract
Five modern minehunters will undertake sweeps of leading maritime areas of interest.
-
India pauses self-reliance in defence manufacture as it turns back to international OEMs
Maritime security concerns has led India to delay its pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and procurement as it makes urgent orders from international OEMs due to maritime security concerns.
-
Lockheed Martin strengthens Spanish SPY-7 radar supply chain
The global defence giant chose a Spanish firm for its work on the Bonifaz-class frigate.
-
US Navy places $312 million contract with Textron Systems for landing craft
Textron’s latest order for Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) follows on from a contract placed in August 2023 for five LCAC.
-
Japan to boost surface fleet with new destroyers and missile ships
Japan is enhancing its naval capabilities with the construction of the 13DDX advanced destroyer and Aegis System Equipped Vessels (AESV), aiming to strengthen its air and missile defence amid increasing security threats, particularly in East Asia.