PHILADELPHIA / WASHINGTON — The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in coordination with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), has executed a prime contract with TOTE Services to manage the acquisition and construction of the U.S. military’s next-generation Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel (MRIV). Following the primary agreement, TOTE Services executed a firm-fixed-price shipyard subcontract with Hanwha Philly Shipyard for the construction of the lead vessel, designated “Golden Defender” (MRIV-1).
The agreement encompasses one firm vessel delivery target set for 2030, alongside options for two additional hulls. Operated under MARAD’s Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) commercial execution model, the MRIV program utilizes an adapted National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) hull form (sharing ~70% commonality). The MRIV-1 will deploy under the overarching “Golden Dome for America” homeland missile defense architecture, replacing legacy tracker ships built in 1965 and 1970.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: MISSILE RANGE INSTRUMENTATION VESSEL (MRIV-1) 
* System Classification: Specialized Oceanographic Missile Range Instrumentation & Telemetry Vessel
* Sponsoring Agencies: Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), Department of War / Department of Transportation
* Prime Construction Manager: TOTE Services (Vessel Construction Manager Model)
* Lead Shipbuilder: Hanwha Philly Shipyard (Philadelphia, PA)
* Program Status: Subcontract executed; Lead vessel delivery target set for 2030; Options for +2 additional hulls
* Operational Designation: Golden Defender (MRIV-1)
* Legacy System Replacement:
* Replaces: MV Pacific Tracker (built 1965) & MV Pacific Collector (built 1970)
* Platform Architecture & Engineering Commonality:
* Design Base: Built upon the MARAD National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) hull design (~70% structural & engineering design commonality)
* Manufacturing Synergies: Leverages active NSMV serial production lines, supply chains, and industrial workforce at Hanwha Philly Shipyard
* Primary Mission Profile & Sensor Payload Capabilities:
* Pacific Ocean telemetry collection, trajectory tracking, and optical/radar observation for exo-atmospheric missile intercept tests
* Direct tactical integration into the “Golden Dome for America” multi-layered homeland missile defense battle management framework
* Range safety monitoring, real-time telemetry streaming, and post-flight battle damage assessment (BDA) data collection
* Acquisition Execution Metrics:
* Contracting Model: Commercial Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model enabling rapid contracting (<3 months from requirement to firm-fixed pricing)
* Estimated Acquisition Savings: ≥50% cost reduction versus legacy government-run naval shipbuilding acquisition pathways
