Gecko Robotics Announces $71M Deal to Slash U.S. Navy Maintenance Delays and Increase Readiness

Gecko Robotics, combining advanced robotics and AI-powered software to build, operate, and modernize the world’s most critical infrastructure, has been awarded a five-year IDIQ contract from the U.S. Navy and GSA with a $71 million ceiling to deploy artificial intelligence and robotics to assess and maintain the health of military assets. Gecko will start work with 18 ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet with the initial award worth up to $54m over a five-year period. Customers in all services will have access to this government-wide vehicle.

The Chief of Naval Operations has set a target of 80% fleet readiness, with Gecko Robotics playing a key role in achieving it. Its AI-driven robotic systems can identify required repairs up to 50× faster and more accurately than manual methods, reducing maintenance delays and improving readiness. These deployments will span destroyers, amphibious warships, and littoral combat ships.

“Readiness isn’t just a metric, it’s everything,” said Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics. “This partnership reflects the advantage created through AI and robotics, where predictive capabilities ensure stronger operational readiness. The standard is clear: if it isn’t ready, it doesn’t count.”

“Where value hasn’t improved, opportunity exists, and solving cost is as critical as solving physics,” said Justin Fanelli. “Emerging solutions are making innovation easier to adopt while reducing time, cost, and risk. Companies like Gecko Robotics are driving outcomes at orders of magnitude, enabling faster and more effective portfolio management.”

“For more than 200 years, Pennsylvania manufacturing has supported America’s national defense, and Gecko Robotics is advancing that legacy through AI and robotics,” said Dave McCormick. “Its partnership with the U.S. Navy highlights how engineers, researchers, and skilled workers are driving innovation in AI, autonomous systems, and robotics to equip the military for the next generation of defense.”

As nations work to reduce naval maintenance delays, the United States Navy is leading the adoption of AI and robotics for faster, more accurate health assessments and reduced reactive maintenance.

Gecko Robotics deploys wall-climbing robots, drones, and sensors to capture extensive data across ship components, using AI to model structural health and detect issues beyond human visibility.

Its work spans destroyers, amphibious ships, aircraft carriers, and both Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs. Navy data shows significant reductions in maintenance time and improved defect detection, highlighted by a single robotic evaluation eliminating over three months of potential delays on a flight deck.