POTTSTOWN, PA — AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has secured a $4.8 million contract from the United States Coast Guard to deliver advanced remotely operated underwater vehicles, strengthening the service’s push to modernize maritime operations through autonomous technology.
The award, issued through AeroVironment’s wholly owned subsidiary VideoRay, covers delivery of the Mission Specialist Defender remotely operated vehicles as part of the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 initiative. The effort is aimed at accelerating adoption of robotics and autonomous systems to improve readiness, safety, and operational reach across the fleet.
The Defender is designed to support a wide range of missions, including underwater and pier inspections, hull assessments, subsurface infrastructure surveys, disaster response, and search-and-rescue operations. By shifting these tasks from human divers to remotely operated systems, the Coast Guard can reduce risk while expanding its ability to operate in hazardous and hard-to-reach environments.
Chris Gibson, chief executive officer of VideoRay, said the contract reinforces the company’s position as a trusted provider of mission-critical maritime robotics. He said the Defender aligns with AeroVironment’s broader all-domain uncrewed systems strategy and reflects growing demand for reliable autonomous tools in defense and security missions.
The contract represents the largest single award within the $11 million allocated in fiscal year 2025 for rapid autonomous fleet upgrades under the Coast Guard’s modernization plan. As part of that effort, the service has established a dedicated Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office to integrate unmanned technologies across its operational portfolio.
Anthony Antognoli, the Coast Guard’s first executive officer for robotics and autonomous systems, said in a separate service release that unmanned platforms improve domain awareness while reducing risk in hazardous environments. He said robotics and autonomy allow the Coast Guard to respond faster, operate more efficiently, and extend its reach as mission demands grow more complex.
Built on a modular, open-architecture platform, the Mission Specialist Defender allows operators to integrate sensors, manipulators, and specialized payloads as mission needs evolve. Field-swappable components are designed to enable on-site maintenance and rapid repairs, helping units maintain operational tempo without extended downtime.
For AeroVironment, the award builds on an expanding defense portfolio that includes work with U.S. and allied forces, including the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response program. For the Coast Guard, it marks another step toward embedding autonomous systems into daily operations as it reshapes the force for the demands of the modern maritime domain.
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