Exail Hails First Sale Of Transoceanic Uncrewed Surface Vessel

French maritime robotics expert Exail is celebrating the first sale of its new DriX O-16 transoceanic Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) just three months after its launch. 

The naval surface drone boasts a 30+ day, 3,500-nautical-mile range and a suite of advanced sensors — including a full-depth multibeam echosounder — which can harvest hydrographic, geophysical, and environmental data.

The versatile platform, which is nearly 16 metres long and can sail at 16 knots, can also deploy Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (AUVs) which can dive to a depth of 1,000m.

As per its recent press statement, Exail says the first DriX O-16 it has sold has been purchased “by an Indo-Pacific customer operating in the civil sector.”

Olivier Cervantes, Vice President of Maritime Autonomy Solutions at Exail, commented: “The sale of our first DriX O-16 so close to its debut is a testament to the trust our clients place in Exail’s forward-thinking approach to maritime autonomy.” 

“The vessel quickly set new benchmarks in efficiency, endurance, and flexibility, securing the customer’s confidence just three months after its christening.”

He added: “It marks an exciting new chapter in the evolution of USVs and their vital role in shaping the future of modern hydrographic, survey and inspection operations.”

• You can read more details on the Exail website