The Mission Specialist Defender system has a modular design for easy integration with a variety of tools. | Source: BlueHalo
BlueHalo LLC last week announced that it has won a contract worth $30,735,784 to provide engineering and support services for its Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response, or MESR, systems.
The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific issued the five-year contract, which supports the U.S. Navy’s ongoing operations using the Mission Specialist Defender remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
The award follows the Navy’s $92.6 million MESR contract awarded to VideoRay in May 2024. The company said it reinforces its role in supporting the U.S. Navy with advanced underwater robotic technology for expeditionary missions, mine countermeasures, and underwater security. BlueHalo bought VideoRay in November.
“This follow-on contract highlights the U.S. Navy’s commitment to adapting and customizing our commercial off-the-shelf defense solutions to meet the evolving needs of its expeditionary forces,” stated Jonathan Moneymaker, CEO of BlueHalo. “We are honored to continue our support in delivering cutting-edge, mission-critical ROVs that enhance maritime security, reconnaissance, and response capabilities for the fleet.”
Mission Specialist Defender designed for high-risk missions
BlueHalo said its Mission Specialist Defender provides high maneuverability, payload integration, and operational flexibility. These capabilities enable the ROV to complete missions in high-risk maritime environments, it added.
The system has more precise control of vehicle position and orientation than BlueHalo’s other ROVs and can handle demanding intervention. This includes things like rendering an unexploded ordinance safe or cleaning nets for offshore fish farms.
Some of the maritime system’s features include:
- Top-side control in a powerful and compact console
- A modular design so users can create a custom system for their application
- Depth rating available up to 1,000 m (3,280.8 ft.)
- Seven thrusters for greater control and positioning
BlueHalo acquisitions to advance autonomy
BlueHalo was founded in 2019 as a purpose-built platform to provide capabilities in several key mission areas: space technologies, counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (cUAS), directed energy, electronic and cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies including uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The Arlington, Va.-based company is known for its drone swarm and counter-drone technology.
Acquired last year, VideoRay was a developer of small ROVs for use in mission-critical spaces, including explosive ordinance disposal, mine countermeasures, mobile diving, salvage, and commercial applications.
Also in November 2024, AeroVironment announced its plans to purchase BlueHalo in an all-stock transaction worth approximately $4.1 billion. The Arlington, Va.-based defense contractor said the acquisition will give it access to a portfolio of products and 100 patents.
AeroVironment said the products will complement its existing expertise in the design, development, manufacturing, training, and servicing of uncrewed systems, loitering munitions, and advanced technologies.
BlueHalo also last week announced a memorandum of understanding to integrate its next-generation autonomous systems, layered air defense solutions, hypersonic telemetry, and airspace command-and-control technologies into GrandSKY’s facilities and Air Space Infrastructure Systems (ASIS). The partners said their goal is to create an unmatched flight operations environment.
In addition, BlueHalo said the successful demonstration of its two-terminal, long-haul, multi-orbit laser communication system was a “breakthrough in the development of space-based laser communication technology with far-reaching implications for national security and commercial sectors.”
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