Gecko Robotics Scales AI Hull Inspections for Navy Fleet

Gecko Robotics has secured a $300 million contract ceiling with the U.S. Navy, quadrupling the original $71 million IDIQ agreement to rapidly deploy inspection technology across the fleet. The expansion, occurring just six months after the initial March award, will place the Pittsburgh-based startup's robots and AI software on Naval Surface Force Atlantic's (SURFLANT) littoral combat ships, DDGs, AASs, and other vessels.

Technology Delivers Speed and Precision

Gecko's wall-climbing robots and AI platform identify structural issues up to 50 times faster than traditional methods while preserving coating integrity. The company claims this technology can save the U.S. Navy up to $8 million in repair costs per ship. Inspections that once took months are now completed in days.

The proprietary Komodo robotic system scans through thick, non-skid deck coatings without stripping or damaging them. It produces a full-deck heatmap of corrosion and material thickness for precise damage pinpointing. Using ultrasonic sensors and the Cantilever AI software platform, Gecko's robots, drones, and fixed-sensors collect data on ship hulls, decks, welds, and components. The AI creates accurate models to identify current and future structural issues, including those invisible to the human eye. Cantilever then produces 3D visualizations and maintenance insights to help plan repairs, extend asset life, and avoid downtime.

Fleet Readiness Impact Drives Adoption

The expanded deployment directly supports the Navy's 80% fleet readiness target by 2027 through reduced downtime and maintenance costs. The Department of the Navy prioritizes fleet readiness as a national security priority, a goal made urgent by the high costs and difficulty of maintaining its large fleet of expensive ships. Gecko's first task order with the Naval Surface Force, Pacific (SURFPAC), which placed robots on 18 ships including guided missile destroyers and amphibious assault ships at Pearl Harbor, demonstrated operational improvements that proved the system's value.

Gecko Robotics founder and CEO Jake Loosararian noted the shift in perception. "The conversation around AI and robotics in defense is no longer about experimental technology," he said. "It’s about delivering measurable and impactful returns." The company has also inked deals with Trident Maritime Systems, BPMI, and Anduril for the $3.7 billion Arsenal-2 submarine mega-factory. To accelerate progress toward the readiness target, Gecko will double its operational ship count to approximately 40 vessels within the next year.