BlueHalo has secured a $30.7-million contract to provide systems engineering and support services for the US Navy’s Mission Specialist Defender underwater vehicle.
Awarded by the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, the five-year contract will enhance ongoing naval operations.
The contract “highlights the US Navy’s commitment to adapting and customizing our commercial off-the-shelf defense solutions to meet the evolving needs of its expeditionary forces,” said Jonathan Moneymaker, CEO of BlueHalo.
The support services under the contract will help Mission Specialist Defender operators to improve “maritime security, reconnaissance, and response capabilities for the fleet,” Moneymaker added.
Mission Specialist Defender System
The Mission Specialist Defender is built for various missions, including mine countermeasure operations such as neutralizing unexploded ordnance.
Equipped with seven thrusters, it moves in any direction and maintains upward or downward orientation as needed, operating at depths of up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).
The system’s modular design allows for custom payload integration, enhancing operational flexibility in high-risk maritime environments.
It also features a compact console that supports third-party control and navigation software.
Latest Contracts
In recent years, BlueHalo has secured multiple contracts with the US Navy and Army to develop and supply advanced systems, including unmanned vehicles and counter-drone technologies.
Earlier this month, the BlueHalo counter-drone missile system completed live-fire testing as part of a US Army program.
Additionally, the company won a $49.9-million contract in January to provide electronic warfare sensors for US Navy and US Special Operations Command drones.
In May last year, BlueHalo partnered with Kraken Technology Group to integrate AI and machine learning into unmanned surface and underwater systems.
