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Uncrewed Surface Vehicles

DriX Series

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Guillaume Eudeline

Global Business Development, Vessels & drones

A complete range of USVs covering all operational needs

As a world-leading developer of industry-changing uncrewed technologies, Exail offers a complete autonomous ecosystem to ensure a smooth transition towards remotely supervised maritime operations. Through a full range of certified Uncrewed Surface vehicles, launch and recovery systems, towed vehicles and purpose-made payload gondola adaptations, Exail provides complete end-to-end solutions for efficient and successful autonomous operations at sea.

  DriX H-8 Medium range USV DriX H-8 Medium range USV DriX H-9 Long range USV DriX H-9 Long range USV DriX O-16 Transoceanic range USV DriX O-16 Transoceanic range USV
Length 7,71 m 9 m 15,75 m
Displacement 1,6 t 2,1 t 10,5 t
Endurance* < 10 days < 20 days < 30 days
Speed < 14 kts < 13 kts < 16 kts
Fuel capacity 250 L 550 L 2,300 L (dual hybrid propulsion)
Range 1,000 nm 2,000 nm 3,500 nm
Communications Wifi, 4G, Satellite communication, UHF radio Wifi, 4G, Satellite communication, UHF radio Wifi, 4G, Satellite communication, UHF radio
Towel / launch & recovery ROTVs towing capabilities ROTVs towing capabilities ROTVs, Inspection Class ROVs, 1,000 m rated AUVs
Station keeping Hovering Hovering Dynamic Positioning
MBES capacity 3,000 m depth 3,000 m depth Full ocean depth
Transportation 1x 40’ High Cube container 1x 40’ High Cube container 2x 40’ High Cube container
Other Launch & Recovery system Customizable stern section for additional payload integration
 
  DriX H-8 Medium range USV DriX H-8 Medium range USV DriX H-9 Long range USV DriX H-9 Long range USV DriX O-16 Transoceanic range USV DriX O-16 Transoceanic range USV
Length 7,71 m 9 m 15,75 m
Displacement 1,6 t 2,1 t 10,5 t
Endurance* < 10 days < 20 days < 30 days
Speed < 14 kts < 13 kts < 16 kts
Fuel capacity 250 L 550 L 2,300 L (dual hybrid propulsion)
Range 1,000 nm 2,000 nm 3,500 nm
Communications Wifi, 4G, Satellite communication, UHF radio Wifi, 4G, Satellite communication, UHF radio Wifi, 4G, Satellite communication, UHF radio
Towel / launch & recovery ROTVs towing capabilities ROTVs towing capabilities ROTVs, Inspection Class ROVs, 1,000 m rated AUVs
Station keeping Hovering Hovering Dynamic Positioning
MBES capacity 3,000 m depth 3,000 m depth Full ocean depth
Transportation 1x 40’ High Cube container 1x 40’ High Cube container 2x 40’ High Cube container
Other Launch & Recovery system Customizable stern section for additional payload integration
 

Command & control of the USVs

The DriX USVs are able to conduct both remote-controlled and supervised autonomous operations. Within the latter, the USVs perform their missions by themselves while the pilot supervises the operations, either within or beyond visual range (Over The Horizon).

Robust communication means supporting OTH operations

Relying on a multi-channels redundant communication system, the DriX USVs can support both Line Of Sight (LOS) or Over The Horizon (OTH) operations. This communication system includes:

  • 4G
  • Kongsberg Broadband Radio
  • Silvus Network Radio
  • WIFI
  • Starlink Satellite

In full OTH mode, Exail USVs are able to select the best communication mode depending on the environment, while smartly managing the use of bandwidth to guarantee critical data priorities.

A user friendly HMI for efficient operations

Exail USVs come with a user-friendly HMI (Human-Machine Interface) that allows operators to plan and control the uncrewed platforms and their parameters. Highly intuitive, the DriX HMI features a graphical interface that enables real-time monitoring of various parameters:

  • Status
  • Mission planning and progress
  • Sensors configuration
  • Alerts management

This allows operators to quickly understand the USVs’ status and make informed decisions during mission execution.DriX autonomy software is based on the ROS middleware. Exail can provide various levels of API for third-party software interfacing.

 

Advanced obstacle detection and avoidance for maximum safety at sea

Exail USVs benefit from an advanced Obstacle Avoidance System designed to ensure safe navigation in complex maritime environments. This system relies on a combination of advanced sensors (video and IR cameras, LiDAR, radar…) and sophisticated software algorithms, to detect and avoid obstacles in real time, allowing for safe operations in dynamic maritime environments.

 

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Efficient launch and recovery

Exail’s DriX USVs can be deployed using various methods depending on the model and on the specific mission requirements, logistical considerations, and available resources. Their versatility in deployment allows for efficient and effective utilization in a wide range of maritime operations.

Launch and Recovery from a mother vessel

The DriX H-8 USV can be deployed from a mother vessel using a specialized Launch and Recovery System (LARS) that can be deployed from a davit, a crane or an A-frame. DriX H-8 LARS allows for the automatic docking of the USV, with no human intervention.

Direct launch from shore or dock

All DriX USVs can be launched directly from shore or a dock using a crane or other lifting equipment. This method is suitable for missions conducted in coastal areas or from shore-based facilities.

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Custom Launch and Recovery Systems development

Specific studies of a mother vessel are also available to develop custom Launch and Recovery solutions adapted to customers’ specific operational requirements.

Why choose Exail uncrewed surface vehicles?

Cost savings and operational efficiency

By requiring fewer operational resources compared to crewed vessels, Exail USVs offer significant cost savings. These come from reduced labor costs, lower fuel consumption, decreased maintenance requirements, and enhanced mission efficiency, through reduced weather standby and post-processing. This leads to a more cost-effective solution for maritime operations.

Enhanced data quality and accuracy

Offering outstanding seakeeping capabilities, including in high sea states (>SS5) and cross-currents, Exail USVs are equipped with advanced sensors and reliable communication equipment, enabling precise data collection and real-time transmission. The payloads, located in a low noise environment, provide best in class data quality, delivering operators with reliable information for decision-making and analysis in various maritime applications.

Increased mission versatility

Modular, Exail USVs are able to integrate and deploy a wide range of payloads, sensors and assets, enabling deployments for various mission requirements. This flexibility allows operators to efficiently address a wide range of maritime tasks, ranging from scientific and exploration, to subsea inspection and hydrography/geophysics, without the need for multiple specialized vessels.

Reduced environmental footprint

Lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission, reduced radiated noise in the water… All these factors contribute to minimizing the environmental impact of maritime operations and support the industry transition towards more sustainability.

A comprehensive service offering

Providing onsite and remote support, extensive training courses, as well as a comprehensive documentation, the Exail teams – whether in-house experts or highly skilled and trained freelancers – are there from mission planning and field mobilizations to operations and maintenance, helping clients and partners deploy Exail technologies and smoothly transition towards uncrewed marine operations.

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Operation Reports

Want to learn more about our DriX USV capabilities? Download our operation reports below.

Over the Horizon operation for biomass assessment on French Atlantic Coast 1/2

(351 KB)
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Over the Horizon operation for biomass assessment on French Atlantic Coast 2/2

(444 KB)
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DriX and SDB : fully remote solutions for hydrographic surveys

(650 KB)
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Bathymetric survey of offshore wind farm site along the French Atlantic coast

(584 KB)
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Offshore wind farms fish stocks assessment study along the U.S. Atlantic Coast

(1 MB)
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Drix to study the mystery of coral rings in Corsica

(668 KB)
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Over The Horizon windfarm bathymetric survey for monopile and inter array-cable inspection

(636 KB)
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Fully integrated autonomous uncrewed maritime solution using DriX and FlipiX ROTV

(1 MB)
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Reducing survey time with new Autoline feature

(8 MB)
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Demonstrating collaborative uncrewed capabilities

(3 MB)
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High-resolution bathymetric and magnetic survey in challenging conditions – Looking for lost shipwreck

(1 MB)
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DriX real time as laid subsea positioning in the Mediterranean Sea

(1 MB)
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Line Keeping Capabilities

(2 MB)
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Multibeam survey in harsh conditions

(1 MB)
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Searching for Benthic equipment lost on the seafloor

(537 KB)
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Downloads

DriX Datasheet

(453 KB)
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DriX Brochure

(470 KB)
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