The U.S. Navy and GSA will pay Gecko Robotics $71 million to use its drones and AI to inspect ships, jets, and other gear, part of the service’s effort to reach 80 percent fleet readiness next year and stem its shortage of ships. The company says it can identify repairs up to 50 times faster and more accurately than human inspectors—and do so even before a ship reaches its dock, which will help the Navy get the right people and parts in place. This work is slated to be carried out across destroyers, amphibious warships, and littoral combat ships. The deal means “any DOD branch can use the AI and robotics,” the company said in a statement. Justin Fanelli, the Navy’s chief technology officer, said during a February Govini event. “When these American companies, […]