- AeroVironment’s (NASDAQ:AVAV) VideoRay was selected as part of an AEVEX-led team for a U.S. Navy mine countermeasure prototype program after successful demonstrations in the Navy and DIU challenge
- The company’s autonomous ROV conducted over-the-horizon missions from an unmanned surface vessel, including target investigation, simulated mine neutralization and post-mission assessment
- The win builds on VideoRay’s growing Navy relationship, including a US$92.6 million five-year contract awarded in 2024 for production and development of its Defender underwater robotic platform
- AeroVironment stock (NASDAQ:AVAV) opened trading at US$137.64
AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, VideoRay, is supporting an AEVEX-led team that has been selected for a prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) following the U.S. Navy and Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Mine Countermeasure Modernization Prize Challenge.
The selection marks another milestone for VideoRay’s expanding role in autonomous underwater defence systems. The challenge was designed to identify mature, rapidly deployable commercial technologies capable of conducting mine countermeasure operations in contested maritime environments while keeping sailors outside dangerous threat zones.
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BlackSea Technologies, now part of AEVEX Maritime Systems, was among three companies that received challenge awards after successfully demonstrating their capabilities during Navy evaluations.
During the competitive in-water trials, VideoRay showcased an autonomous mine countermeasure system featuring its remotely operated vehicle (ROV) launched from an AEVEX unmanned surface vessel equipped with an autonomous launch-and-recovery system. Operators controlled missions from a remote ground station beyond the visual horizon, while the integrated platform autonomously performed vessel transit, station keeping, ROV launch and recovery, target investigation, simulated mine neutralization and post-engagement assessment.
VideoRay collaborated with ECS Special Projects Ltd. during the challenge to demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in completing key mine warfare tasks. The integrated solution highlighted the growing potential of autonomous and remotely operated technologies to support future naval operations.
The Mine Countermeasure Modernization Challenge was launched by the Navy and DIU to accelerate the adoption of commercial technologies capable of executing the entire detect-to-engage process against naval mines. Winning solutions are expected to be incorporated into the Navy’s autonomous mine countermeasure kits as the service modernizes its mine warfare capabilities.
VideoRay’s participation builds on its existing relationship with the Navy. The company’s Mission Specialist Defender platform serves as the base technology for the Navy’s MK20 Defender ROV under the Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response program. The modular, open-architecture underwater system is designed to accommodate a variety of sensors, manipulators and mission-specific payloads for demanding underwater intervention operations.
In 2024, VideoRay was awarded a US$92.6 million, five-year U.S. Navy contract covering continued production, sustainment and development of the Defender platform. The contract supports explosive ordnance disposal and expeditionary mine countermeasure missions, reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to leveraging autonomous underwater systems for future maritime security operations.
“The Navy demonstrated that commercial technology can move from evaluation to operational planning at a pace that matters,” Chris Gibson, vice president of underwater uncrewed vehicles for AV, said in a news release. “Mission Specialist Defender gives the Fleet a modular underwater platform that can integrate with different surface vessels and payloads, allowing operators to conduct complex mine countermeasure missions while remaining outside the threat area.”
The latest prototype selection further strengthens AeroVironment’s position in the defence technology market as military customers increasingly seek autonomous, communications-resilient systems capable of operating in complex and contested environments.
Defence technology provider AeroVironment Inc. designs, develops, produces, delivers, and supports a portfolio of robotic systems and related services for government agencies and businesses in the United States and internationally.
AeroVironment stock (NASDAQ:AVAV) opened trading 0.01% lower at US$137.64 and has lost more than 40% since the year began.
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