AeroVironment Secures $4.8 Million U.S. Coast Guard Contract to Deliver Advanced Mission Specialist Defender ROVs in Support of Force Design 2028
AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a recognized leader in the field of underwater robotic systems and a long-standing supplier of autonomous solutions to defense and security customers worldwide, announced that it has been awarded a $4.8 million contract from the United States Coast Guard. The award, issued through AV’s wholly owned subsidiary, VideoRay, will provide the Coast Guard with Mission Specialist Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). These highly capable, next-generation systems will play a pivotal role in advancing the Coast Guard’s broader Force Design 2028 modernization initiative, an effort focused on strengthening mission readiness, accelerating adoption of autonomous technologies, and enhancing maritime operational safety.
The $4.8 million award represents the single largest contract out of the $11 million obligated in fiscal year 2025 for rapid autonomous fleet upgrades. The award underscores both the strategic importance of modernizing unmanned maritime systems across the service and the Coast Guard’s confidence in AV and VideoRay as trusted partners capable of delivering systems that meet the unique challenges of maritime mission environments. The investment signals a significant step forward in the Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to integrate proven robotic technologies that increase mission effectiveness while reducing operational risk for personnel.
Strengthening Maritime Response and Operational Safety
The newly awarded Mission Specialist Defender ROVs will allow the Coast Guard to significantly expand its underwater response capabilities across a wide range of operational scenarios. AeroVironment These include rapid underwater inspections, pier and dock infrastructure assessments, hull inspections, submerged asset surveys, and environmental response tasks. The Defender’s advanced design enables operators to deploy quickly in high-risk or time-sensitive environments, including murky waters, low-visibility conditions, or disaster-affected areas where human divers may face significant hazards.
By leveraging the Defender’s precision maneuverability, improved sensor capabilities, and adaptable payload architecture, Coast Guard units can conduct more thorough and timely inspections that previously relied heavily on deploying divers. In many cases, these operations carry substantial risk due to underwater obstructions, strong currents, or contamination. The Defender’s ability to operate in such conditions reduces exposure for Coast Guard personnel, thereby improving mission safety while maintaining a high operational tempo.
Moreover, the platform’s modular design makes it well-suited for supporting search and rescue activities, including locating submerged objects, documenting hazardous debris fields, and assisting recovery operations. The Defender’s compact form factor allows for ease of transport and rapid deployment, enabling Coast Guard teams to respond more efficiently during emergency events, natural disasters, or critical infrastructure failures. Collectively, AeroVironment these capabilities will support a safer, more agile, and more responsive Coast Guard fleet.
Proven Technology for Demanding Maritime Missions
Chris Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of VideoRay, emphasized the significance of this award in reinforcing VideoRay’s role at the forefront of maritime robotics. “The selection of the Mission Specialist Defender reinforces our ability to deliver proven technology to address the most demanding defense and security missions,” Gibson said. “Customers have come to depend on VideoRay when failure is not an option. As AeroVironment 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.”
VideoRay’s Mission Specialist series has become well-regarded for offering rugged, reliable, and adaptable systems that can operate effectively in complex maritime conditions. The Defender, in particular, stands out for its hydrodynamic stability, high thrust-to-weight ratio, and open-architecture design, which allows quick integration of new sensors or tools based on mission needs. These strengths align directly with operational expectations set by the Coast Guard’s modernization priorities, as the service increasingly emphasizes flexibility and long-term upgradeability in its acquisition programs.
Aligning with Coast Guard Force Design 2028
The Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 initiative lays out a strategic vision for building a more technologically advanced, resilient, and globally responsive maritime force. AeroVironment Central to this effort is the rapid adoption of unmanned and autonomous systems that enhance situational awareness, enable smarter decision-making, and reduce physical risk to personnel operating in demanding or hazardous environments. As part of this broader modernization strategy, the Coast Guard created the Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Program Executive Office to accelerate the implementation of advanced robotic technologies across all missions.
The RAS office is specifically tasked with overseeing the integration, testing, acquisition, and deployment of unmanned platforms across the Coast Guard’s operational landscape. This includes air, surface, and subsurface technologies designed to improve mission execution and expand domain awareness. The office works closely with industry partners—such as AeroVironment and VideoRay—to ensure systems are rigorously tested, mission-ready, and capable of supporting both near-term and long-term operational requirements.
In a separate announcement issued in September 2025, Anthony Antognoli, the Coast Guard’s first RAS program executive officer, highlighted the critical nature of unmanned systems in strengthening readiness and mission performance. “These unmanned systems provide increased domain awareness, mitigating risk and enhancing mission success as the Coast Guard continues to operate in hazardous environments,” Antognoli said. “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.”
This statement underscores the service’s strategic commitment to robotics as a force multiplier. By incorporating systems capable of performing dirty, dull, or dangerous tasks, the Coast Guard aims to build a future-ready fleet that can respond efficiently to evolving maritime challenges—from illicit trafficking and environmental incidents to aging infrastructure and expanding commercial maritime activity.
Advanced Architecture Designed for Mission Flexibility
One of the standout features of the Mission Specialist Defender is its modular, open-architecture foundation. The AeroVironment system is designed to allow operators to integrate an array of advanced sensors, robotic manipulators, and specialized payloads tailored to mission objectives. This AeroVironment capability ensures long-term system relevance, as new technologies can be integrated with minimal disruption, avoiding full-system replacement costs.
Field-swappable modules also allow operators to conduct maintenance and repairs on-site, minimizing downtime and ensuring that units remain operational during fast-moving mission requirements. The ability to rapidly replace components is especially valuable during emergency response operations when time is critical.
In addition AeroVironment to its modularity, the Defender offers improved maneuverability and precise control through its vectored thruster configuration. Its hydrodynamic design supports stable performance in currents and turbid waters, enabling it to operate effectively in conditions that can impede divers or larger, less nimble ROVs. The AeroVironment Defender’s architecture also supports high-definition video capture and real-time data transmission, allowing operators to make informed decisions based on accurate and timely visual and sensor feedback.
Expanding AV’s Role Across All-Domain Uncrewed Systems
The United States Coast Guard’s decision to procure the Mission Specialist Defender builds on AeroVironment’s expanding footprint within U.S. and allied defense ecosystems. AV has deep experience delivering unmanned systems across all operational domains—air, land, and maritime. This includes support for the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) program and a portfolio of aerial unmanned systems used globally for reconnaissance, surveillance, and mission support.
As the Coast Guard continues to modernize its fleet for an increasingly complex maritime environment, partnerships with companies like AV and VideoRay will remain critical. With threats ranging from illicit trafficking and illegal fishing to emerging climate-related challenges and cyber vulnerabilities, the Coast Guard must continue to integrate technologies capable of expanding operational awareness, improving response speed, and enhancing safety for personnel.
AeroVironment’s $4.8 million contract award represents more than an acquisition of new technology—it is a strategic investment in the future of the Coast Guard’s operational resilience. As the service continues to transition to an era of data-enabled, autonomous, and networked operations, systems like the Mission Specialist Defender will play a central role in shaping a modern fleet capable of meeting an increasingly dynamic maritime mission landscape.
With this award, AV AeroVironment reinforces its position as a leader in maritime robotics and a trusted partner supporting national security, mission safety, and innovation across the naval and maritime community.
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