Marine technology company VideoRay has secured a major $92.6 million contract with the US Navy for the production, sustainment, and development of the MK20 Defender Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) platform. The five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract will support the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) program.
The contract will allow VideoRay to provide the Navy with access to its Mission Specialist family of underwater robotics systems, specifically designed to support the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Underwater Response Vehicle program and the MESR program of record. The MK20 Defender ROV, based on VideoRay’s Mission Specialist Defender, offers modularity and an open architecture design for easy integration of third-party sensors and versatile payload options.
Developed in Pottstown, Pa. and serviced from offices in Pottstown and San Diego, California, the Mission Specialist Defender has gained popularity among defense and commercial customers worldwide. The platform features advanced technology from industry partners, including control software by Greensea IQ, sonar and positioning systems by BluePrint Subsea, navigation technology by Nortek, and a manipulator by Eddify.
Chris Gibson, CEO of VideoRay, expressed excitement about the new contract, stating, “This production contract with the U.S. Navy marks an exciting new chapter for VideoRay. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Navy and enhance our next-generation Expeditionary EOD and MCM systems to meet the fleet’s requirements.” The partnership aims to advance technology and capabilities to meet the needs of defense and commercial customers worldwide.