PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Hanwha Philly Shipyard, one of the nation’s leading commercial shipbuilders, and TOTE Services, LLC, a leading U.S. maritime services company specializing in vessel construction management and ship management, today announced they have been selected to deliver the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIV).

TOTE Services will serve as vessel construction manager (VCM), and HPSI will build the ships at its Philadelphia shipyard.

The MRIV will replace the Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, which currently support missile range instrumentation missions, and were constructed in 1965 and 1970, respectively.
The selection of a VCM for the MRIV program comes as the federal government sharpens its focus on rebuilding the U.S. maritime industrial base, with shipbuilding capacity now recognized as a major national security priority.

TOTE Services and HPSI will use the same commercially managed VCM model they are currently deploying under the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program for the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). That five-vessel program has already delivered three ships, with the fourth, Lone Star State, christened today and set for delivery in the coming months, and the fifth and final vessel expected in mid-2027. The NSMV program has demonstrated how commercial management brings stronger cost control, schedule performance, and execution to complex vessel classes.

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.”

“Philadelphia has a long history of building ships that serve our nation, and our team is proud to carry that legacy forward,” said David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard. “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.”

HPSI will build the MRIV using the proven hull form, active production line, existing supply chain, and skilled workforce already in place at its yard, under the existing VCM contract vehicle between MARAD and TOTE Services. This project will be executed as an interagency collaboration between the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense and the Missile Defense Agency. The first MRIV is scheduled for delivery in 2030.