The ship, which will support the Golden Dome effort, will be based on the national Security Multi-Mission Vessels Hanwha Philly Shipyard builds for the US Maritime Administration.
The companies are signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work on crafting a 38-meter MUSV.
As NATO and European governments accelerate investment in space-based intelligence, decision advantage will depend on how quickly sovereign and commercial capabilities can be fused into a trusted operational picture.
“I don't see us building destroyers in Philadelphia,” Hanwha Defense USA CEO Mike Smith said. “I do see us building the fleet the Navy needs next.”