Industrial
Gecko Robotics has secured an additional $300 million on its contract with the U.S. Navy and General Services Administration, quadrupling the ceiling value of the agreement. The expansion, announced just six months after an initial $71 million IDIQ award, is aimed at cutting maintenance delays and improving fleet readiness through rapid robotic deployment.
The Pittsburgh-based company framed the increase as a strong public endorsement of operational AI and robotics in defense. Gecko said the move reflects Pentagon confidence that its systems deliver a core military capability rather than experimental technology. The contract structure is an IDIQ, and the new ceiling accommodates broader deployment across the Navy.
The expansion, announced just six months after an initial $71 million IDIQ award, is aimed at cutting maintenance delays and improving fleet readiness through rapid robotic deployment.
According to Gecko, its AI and robotic technology can save the Navy up to $8 million in repair costs per ship and return vessels to sea faster. The company said its systems identify structural issues up to 50 times faster than traditional methods, reducing inspections from months to days. Central to the expansion is Komodo, a proprietary Gecko robotic system that scans through thick, non-skid deck coatings without stripping or damaging them, allowing the Navy to assess asset health without removal.
Gecko’s suite of technologies is designed to ensure data integrity by collecting and integrating full-coverage, high-fidelity data layers. CEO Jake Loosararian said the conversation around AI and robotics in defense is no longer about experimental technology but about delivering measurable and impactful returns, citing savings of millions of dollars per ship and inspections compressed from months to days.
The contract expansion points to a timeline of rapid robotic deployment across the Navy, with Gecko positioning the award as validation of operational AI at scale. The company did not disclose specific deployment schedules or the number of ships covered under the expanded ceiling.
Source: The Robot Report