DriX O-16: Exail’s Revolutionary USV Completes Groundbreaking Autonomous Ocean Voyage

Exail has reached a significant milestone in maritime autonomy with its DriX O-16 transoceanic uncrewed surface vessel (USV). The 16-meter platform has successfully finalized an extraordinary 1,100-nautical-mile (2,000 km) journey from La Ciotat – France, to Troia – Portugal, to participate in NATO’s REPMUS 2025 exercise.

Navigating past the Balearic Islands and through the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the globe’s busiest marine passages, the DriX O-16 accomplished the trip in six days without any port stops. Managed in supervised autonomy from Exail’s Remote Operation Center (ROC) in La Ciotat, the mission showcased endurance, situational awareness, and dependable decision-making in high-density traffic.

A crucial advancement in operational maturity

This extensive deployment validates the resilience, safety, and operational capability of Exail’s surface drone technology. More than just a symbolic journey, it offers tangible proof that large USVs can be monitored remotely across expansive waters and restricted sea passages, arriving fully mission-capable on-site without substantial logistical backing. During the transit, the DriX O-16 also executed seabed mapping operations using a Kongsberg EM304 multibeam echosounder, further illustrating its ability to provide invaluable data while in motion.

“With this unparalleled long-range transit, Exail’s DriX O-16 demonstrates that substantial USVs are now a practical reality,” stated Sébastien Grall, Head of Maritime Autonomy Solutions at Exail. “As the pioneering uncrewed platform to successfully perform such a mission, it establishes a new standard in surface autonomy – safe, reliable, and prepared for missions.”