French defense and robotics firm Exail has secured two new contracts for its DriX H-9 autonomous surface vessel (ASV), strengthening the platform’s role in maritime defense and hydrographic operations. The awards mark growing naval interest in long-endurance surface drones for both security and seabed data collection missions.
Under the first contract, Exail was selected by the innovation branch of an undisclosed navy to equip the DriX H-9 with counter-drone capabilities supplied by a third-party provider. The solution will enable the autonomous vessel to detect, track, and neutralize hostile aerial drones, extending air defense coverage into offshore and littoral environments. Originally designed for land-based use, the counter-UAS technology is now being adapted for maritime deployment.
The counter-drone-enabled DriX H-9 is expected to support missions such as fleet protection, escorting high-value naval and commercial vessels, port security, and the defense of critical maritime infrastructure. The second contract was awarded by the French Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM), which will use the DriX platform to accelerate seabed mapping and hydrographic data collection for navigation safety and maritime domain management.
The latest orders bring the total number of DriX H-9 contracts to three in recent months, with Exail confirming that additional surface drone deals are under final negotiation for 2026. The 9-meter autonomous vessel can operate for up to 20 days, travel approximately 2,000 nautical miles, and supports modular payloads, including multibeam echosounders capable of mapping seabeds at depths of up to 3,000 meters, reinforcing its versatility across defense and scientific missions.
