TOTE Services, Hanwha Philly Shipyard selected for MDA vessel build

TOTE Services, LLC and Hanwha Philly Shipyard have been selected to deliver the Missile Defense Agency’s Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels, with TOTE Services serving as vessel construction manager and Hanwha Philly Shipyard building the ships in Philadelphia.

The program will replace the Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, which currently support missile range instrumentation missions and were built in 1965 and 1970, respectively. According to the announcement, the first MRIV is scheduled for delivery in 2030.

The selection comes as the federal government increases its focus on rebuilding the U.S. maritime industrial base, a push the announcement described as a national security priority. The companies said they will use the same commercially managed vessel construction manager model already in use on the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel program for the U.S. Maritime Administration.

That five-vessel NSMV program has delivered three ships so far. The fourth, Lone Star State, was christened on July 17, 2026, and is set for delivery in the coming months, while the fifth and final vessel is expected in mid-2027.

Speaking at the christening of the Lone Star State, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, announced the award, "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, "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. 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."

TOTE Services President Jeff Dixon said, "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 added, "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."

Under the existing vessel construction manager contract vehicle between MARAD and TOTE Services, Hanwha Philly Shipyard will build the MRIV using the same hull form, production line, supply chain, and workforce already in place at the yard. The announcement said the project will be carried out as an interagency collaboration between the Department of Transportation, Department of War, and the Missile Defense Agency.

Michael Coulter, President and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA, said, "Hanwha is excited to build new versions of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel to support such a critical defense function for our homeland. 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."

Chris Clark, Vice President of New Construction, TOTE Services, said, "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. 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."

David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, said, "Philadelphia has a long history of building ships that serve our nation, and our team is proud to carry that legacy forward. 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 announcement said the vessel construction manager approach used in the program reduces acquisition costs by at least 50% compared with traditional government acquisition strategies. It also said the model helps speed delivery timelines by defining requirements upfront and approving change orders quickly.

The companies also said the NSMV program transformed Hanwha Philly Shipyard from a dormant yard with a few dozen workers into a national security asset employing more than 2,000 production workers. They said the MRIV award builds on that momentum by bringing new defense construction work to the shipyard and supporting continued growth as the nation rebuilds its shipbuilding capacity.

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