U.S. Navy Quadruples Gecko Robotics Inspection Deal to $300 Million as China Gap Pressures Readiness
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 19
U.S. Navy Quadruples Gecko Robotics Inspection Deal to $300 Million as China Gap Pressures Readiness
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 19
Summary
$300 million is the new ceiling on the Navy’s contract with Gecko Robotics, up from $71 million six months ago, expanding AI-powered robotic inspections meant to return warships to service faster.
Gecko says its robots and Cantilever software can spot some structural problems up to 50 times faster than traditional inspections and save as much as $8 million on a single ship’s repairs.
A new Navy-specific robot, Komodo, scans steel beneath thick deck coatings without stripping them first, helping crews map corrosion and narrow repair work before opening up the ship.
The push targets destroyers, amphibious warships and littoral combat ships as Navy leaders aim for 80% fleet readiness while maintenance delays sideline vessels.
The expansion reflects Pentagon pressure to keep more ships operational as China fields a larger battle force and builds vessels faster than U.S. shipyards can match.