SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, France, — French technology company Exail has secured a major contract to supply its military-grade Marins inertial navigation systems (INS) for the entire fleet of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) operated by an unnamed navy.
Valued at tens of millions of euros, the contract ranks among the largest navigation system orders received by Exail and strengthens its position in the growing market for autonomous naval platforms. The customer has not been publicly identified.
Navigation Without Satellite Signals
Uncrewed surface vessels operate without onboard crews and depend on reliable navigation data to complete missions. Navies are increasingly deploying these platforms to extend operational reach, maintain a presence at sea and reduce the exposure of personnel to danger.
However, navigation becomes more challenging in contested waters, where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, including GPS, can be degraded, jammed or spoofed.
Exail’s Marins systems use fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) technology to provide accurate position, heading, attitude and velocity data. The inertial navigation systems help vessels maintain navigation information when satellite signals are unavailable or disrupted, supporting autonomous operations.
Jean-Marc Binois, Exail’s chief commercial officer, said navies are moving towards fleets in which crewed and uncrewed vessels operate alongside one another. He added that deploying USVs at scale requires reliable navigation technology that meets demanding defence requirements, alongside experience in designing and integrating autonomous maritime systems.
Established Naval Navigation Technology
Exail’s Marins navigation systems are already used on surface ships and submarines operated by more than 50 navies worldwide. The company also supplies navigation technology for nearly 80% of the global autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market, according to the provided company information.
These underwater platforms operate in environments where satellite navigation signals cannot reach, making inertial navigation technology important for maintaining position and movement data.
The latest contract extends Exail’s established naval navigation expertise to an entire fleet of uncrewed surface vessels.
Exail Expands Its Naval Robotics Business
The contract follows other developments in Exail’s defence robotics business during October 2026. Earlier in the month, the company’s DriX surface drones were lined up for evaluations by the US Navy and US Coast Guard. Exail has also begun production of a major unmanned mine countermeasures package for the Indonesian Navy.
As navies integrate uncrewed vessels alongside conventional warships, reliable navigation systems are becoming an important requirement for autonomous maritime operations. The new order strengthens Exail’s role in supplying navigation technology for naval platforms operating in environments where satellite signals may be unreliable or unavailable.
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