AeroVironment, Inc., a leading provider of underwater robotic systems, announced it has been awarded a $4.8 million United States Coast Guard contract through its wholly owned subsidiary, VideoRay, to deliver Mission Specialist Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as part of the Service’s Force Design 2028 modernization initiative.
The Defender will enhance the Coast Guard’s maritime response capabilities by enabling rapid underwater inspections, pier inspections, hull assessments, subsurface infrastructure surveys, disaster response, and search and rescue operations in challenging environments. The system reduces diver risk while increasing mission safety, operational efficiency, and fleet readiness.
“The selection of the Mission Specialist Defender reinforces our ability to deliver proven technology to address the most demanding defense and security missions,” said Chris Gibson, Chief Executive Officer at VideoRay. “Customers have come to depend on VideoRay when failure is not an option. As AV’s maritime pillar, we’re proud to contribute to the organization’s all-domain uncrewed systems strategy to ensure the safety and security of our forces.”
As part of Force Design 2028, the Coast Guard established the Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Program Executive Office to rapidly integrate unmanned and robotic technologies across all missions. This includes investments in robotics and autonomous systems designed to build a more agile, technology-enabled, and globally ready force for the evolving maritime domain.
AV’s $4.8 million award – the largest award of the $11 million executed in fiscal year 2025 for rapid autonomous fleet upgrades – will strengthen Coast Guard operations with proven, advanced maritime robotics. The selection of the Mission Specialist Defender builds on the company’s expanding track record with U.S. and allied defense customers, including the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) program.
“These unmanned systems provide increased domain awareness, mitigating risk and enhancing mission success as the Coast Guard continues to operate in hazardous environments,” said Anthony Antognoli, the Coast Guard’s first RAS program executive officer, in a separate release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard in September 2025. “The Coast Guard’s mission demands agility, awareness and adaptability. Robotics and autonomous systems deliver all three, enabling us to respond faster, operate smarter and extend our reach where it matters most. We are not waiting for the future to arrive. We are delivering it to the fleet today.”
The Mission Specialist Defender is designed for port security and force protection missions. Its compact, portable design allows rapid deployment from small boats, piers, or shorelines. The ROV provides high-definition imaging and maneuverability in confined spaces, making it ideal for hull searches, underwater threat detection, and infrastructure assessment.
This contract underscores the Coast Guard’s shift toward uncrewed systems to reduce risk to personnel while expanding operational reach. By leveraging VideoRay’s proven ROV technology, the service can conduct critical underwater missions without putting divers in harm’s way, particularly in high-traffic ports or environmentally sensitive areas.
