The MRIVs will replace Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, which currently support missile range instrumentation missions and were built in 1965 and 1970. The first new vessel, Golden Defender, is scheduled for delivery in 2030.
The award comes as the U.S. government puts renewed focus on rebuilding the maritime industrial base and treating shipbuilding capacity as a national security priority. The program will use the same commercially managed vessel construction manager model that TOTE Services and Hanwha Philly Shipyard are applying under the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel program for the U.S. Maritime Administration.
That five-ship NSMV program has already delivered three vessels, with the fourth, Lone Star State, christened today and set for delivery in the coming months. The fifth and final vessel is expected in mid-2027.
Speaking at the christening of Lone Star State, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced the award and linked the program to U.S. missile defense and maritime policy. “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.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the announcement underscored the administration’s push to rebuild domestic shipbuilding capacity. “What an incredible day for the nation’s maritime industry. In christening the Lone Star State, we are sending a message that the next generation of maritime leaders are worth investing in,” said Duffy.
“I want to also thank Director Vought for his leadership in spearheading the President’s Maritime Dominance objectives. These two new vessels – built by American patriots in the city our nation was founded in – will equip our military to better protect the nation and our servicemembers from foreign threats. Our Department will continue its work to rekindle America’s maritime heritage and build ships at the Speed of Trump,” Duffy said.
TOTE Services President Jeff Dixon said the MRIV program would extend the company’s construction management approach from maritime training ships into a defense mission. “The Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel advances our national security as a centerpiece of the Administration’s Golden Dome for America initiative. TOTE Services’ Vessel Construction Management model has proven to be a success in the National Security Multi-mission Vessel program from the Department of Transportation and MARAD. Our team will bring that same skill, urgency and process to meet the moment and the mission,” Dixon said.
“The MRIV program is a direct result of the ingenuity and coordination of the federal interagency team from the Department of War, Missile Defense Agency, Office of Management and Budget, Department of Transportation, MARAD, and all of the government leaders who have championed this approach. Together, we will deliver the next generation of U.S. defense capability and we are honored to be selected for this critical shipbuilding program.”
Hanwha Philly Shipyard will use the hull form, active production line, existing supply chain and skilled workforce already in place at the yard. The project will be carried out under the existing VCM contract vehicle between MARAD and TOTE Services, through interagency cooperation involving the Department of Transportation, Department of War and Missile Defense Agency.
“Hanwha is excited to build new versions of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel to support such a critical defense function for our homeland,” said Michael Coulter, President and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA. “With these new ships, Hanwha Philly Shipyard is continuing to evolve in complexity as we look to deliver on our ambition to become a premier U.S. shipbuilder. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are building the next generation of our nation’s ships in the same city where America built its first Navy ships.”
“MRIV engineering and construction will make immediate progress from day one, as we are carrying forward the production processes and lessons learned from NSMV, which lowers cost, schedule, and performance risk,” said Chris Clark, Vice President of New Construction, TOTE Services. “We are excited to move this critical program forward. The VCM provides the guidance and steady support that delivers world-class ships for the American people.”
“Philadelphia has a long history of building ships that serve our nation, and our team is proud to carry that legacy forward,” said David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard. “This program demonstrates what is possible when proven designs, a skilled workforce, and strong government-industry collaboration come together. We look forward to delivering these vessels with the quality, reliability, and commitment our customers expect.”
The companies said the VCM approach can reduce acquisition costs by at least 50% compared with traditional government acquisition strategies. They said defining requirements upfront and approving change orders quickly also accelerates schedules and helps ensure vessels are mission-ready at delivery.
The award builds on the NSMV program, which the companies said helped turn Hanwha Philly Shipyard from a dormant yard with a few dozen workers into a national security asset employing more than 2,000 production workers. The MRIV program brings new defense construction work to the yard as the United States seeks to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity.
TOTE Services is the current ship manager and operator of the existing MARAD and MDA vessels, giving it operational and technical experience relevant to the MRIV program. The companies said the combination of TOTE Services’ vessel construction management and Hanwha Philly Shipyard’s production line, workforce and mission-system integration experience is intended to reduce risk and support the ships from construction through operations.
