DriX O-16: Exail’s Trailblazing USV Finishes Pioneering Journey Across the Seas

Exail has accomplished a notable achievement in maritime autonomy with its DriX O-16 transoceanic uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). The 16-meter vessel has adeptly completed an impressive 1,100-nautical-mile (2,000 km) voyage from La Ciotat, France, to Troia, Portugal, to engage in NATO’s REPMUS 2025 exercise.

Transiting around the Balearic Islands and through the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s most congested marine corridors, the DriX O-16 performed the journey in just six days without any port stops. Controlled in supervised autonomy from Exail’s Remote Operation Center (ROC) in La Ciotat, the mission highlighted endurance, situational awareness, and robust decision-making in high-traffic environments.

A pivotal progression in operational maturity

This extensive operation confirms the durability, safety, and operational efficiency of Exail’s surface drone technology. More than merely a ceremonial journey, it serves as concrete evidence that large USVs can be supervised remotely across vast expanses and confined maritime routes, arriving fully mission-capable on-site without significant logistical support. During the voyage, the DriX O-16 also carried out seabed mapping tasks utilizing a Kongsberg EM304 multibeam echosounder, further showcasing its capability to deliver crucial data while in transit.

“With this unmatched long-distance journey, Exail’s DriX O-16 showcases that substantial USVs are now a feasible reality,” remarked Sébastien Grall, Head of Maritime Autonomy Solutions at Exail. “As the trailblazing uncrewed vehicle to successfully accomplish such a mission, it sets a new benchmark in surface autonomy – safe, dependable, and ready for operations.”