The technology group Exail has announced the first sale of its DriX H-9 unmanned surface vehicle for civilian offshore operations. The system will be deployed by a European client for marine infrastructure surveying tasks, amidst growing demand for autonomous solutions in the offshore sector.
A USV Designed for Advanced Marine Surveying
The DriX H-9 is positioned as a high-capacity autonomous platform, equipped with a comprehensive suite of geophysical sensors. These include a multibeam echosounder, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, and a magnetometer, which are key tools for data acquisition in subsea surveys.
Furthermore, this unmanned vessel enables the execution of high-precision geophysical survey campaigns, optimizing the quality of data collected in complex offshore operations.
Extended Autonomy and Operational Efficiency of the DriX H-9
Moreover, one of the most relevant aspects of the DriX H-9 is its operational autonomy. The platform can operate beyond the horizon for periods of up to 20 days, significantly reducing the need for direct human intervention.
Likewise, this capability translates into reduced operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint compared to traditional vessels. The combination of autonomy and payload makes the system an efficient solution for long-duration offshore missions.
A Range Adapted to New Offshore Demands
Exail has developed the DriX series as a family of unmanned surface vehicles that includes the H-8, H-9, and O-16 models. Each offers different configurations of autonomy and payload capacity, allowing the technology to be adapted to various operational scenarios.
In this regard, the H-9 model stands out for its balance between endurance and sensor integration capability, making it particularly suitable for complex marine surveying operations.
Europe Drives the Adoption of Autonomous Systems
Finally, the adoption of this USV by a European client reflects the market’s shift towards autonomous solutions in the offshore domain. According to Olivier Cervantes, Exail’s Vice President of Maritime Autonomy Solutions, the demand for platforms with greater autonomy and versatility is growing rapidly.
Thus, the deployment of the DriX H-9 positions this operator as one of the first in Europe to incorporate advanced surveying capabilities using unmanned systems.
Source and photo: Exail