Hanwha Philly Shipyard has won the first MRIV construction order under a programme supporting the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Delivery of the Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel is planned for 2030.
TOTE Services awarded the shipbuilding subcontract after MARAD, the U.S. Maritime Administration, contracted the company as vessel construction manager (VCM). TOTE Services announced both agreements on 7 October 2026. Up to three ships fall within the award, but the firm commitment currently covers one vessel, Hanwha Philly Shipyard said.
The programme will replace Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, dating from 1965 and 1970 respectively. Both ships perform missile range instrumentation duties and are managed and operated by TOTE Services.
The new vessel will be based on the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) design. Hanwha Philly Shipyard has been building the NSMV ships with TOTE Services overseeing construction. According to TOTE Services, the MRIV will retain the NSMV hull form and share 70% of the overall design. The yard will also use the NSMV production line, together with its established suppliers and workforce.
Following this summer’s programme announcement, TOTE Services worked to settle contractual terms, develop the design and obtain firm fixed pricing. It says the VCM model allows the design work and negotiations to take under three months; comparable work under conventional public-sector procurement could require a year or longer.
TOTE Services also says VCM procurement can reduce the cost of acquisition by a minimum of 50% compared with conventional methods. Its explanation centres on early agreement on requirements and prompt authorisation of changes to support adherence to delivery schedules.
The Department of Transportation, the Department of War and MDA are collaborating on the programme using the VCM contractual framework already established by MARAD and TOTE Services.
