Shom Selects Exail’s DriX H-9 USV to Accelerate France’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Capabilities

PARIS : The French hydrographic and oceanographic service, Shom, has selected Exail’s DriX H-9 uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) to further expand its national hydrographic and oceanographic capabilities, marking another step in the accelerated transformation of France’s maritime data-collection fleet.

The acquisition supports Shom’s strategic objective of delivering certified, high-quality maritime data more rapidly, as demand rises from both civil and military users across widening areas of operational interest. The move reflects a broader shift toward uncrewed systems to increase survey tempo, reduce operational constraints, and extend coverage without compromising data integrity.

Building on Operational Success With DriX H-8

The decision follows the delivery and operational deployment of the DriX H-8, ordered in December 2024 and now operating under the name Marlin. That platform has already demonstrated the value of uncrewed surface systems in real-world hydrographic survey missions, validating their reliability, accuracy, and integration within Shom’s established workflows.

Drawing directly on this experience, the newly ordered DriX H-9 represents a significant capability upgrade, offering greater endurance, higher autonomy, and enhanced operational flexibility. Designed for extended missions, the platform can operate for up to 20 days, depending on payload configuration, enabling long-range and persistent survey operations with minimal human intervention.

Flexible Deployment From Shore or Mother Ship

A key advantage of the DriX H-9 is its deployment versatility. The USV can be launched directly from shore or from Shom’s hydrographic and oceanographic vessel Beautemps-Beaupré, allowing seamless integration into existing survey campaigns. This flexibility enables Shom to adapt mission planning to environmental conditions, operational priorities, and geographic constraints.

From its home base at Brest naval base, the DriX H-9 will be capable of autonomously transiting to survey areas in the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean, expanding Shom’s ability to conduct offshore and near-coastal missions without tying up crewed vessels.

Faster Data Cycles, Wider Coverage

By leveraging uncrewed technologies such as the DriX H-9, Shom aims to accelerate data-acquisition cycles, extend survey coverage, and ensure the timely availability of reliable maritime information. These data are critical for a wide range of applications, including safety of navigation, environmental monitoring, coastal management, maritime spatial planning, and defence-related assessments.

Uncrewed systems also offer the advantage of sustained operations in conditions that may be inefficient or impractical for traditional crewed platforms, improving overall fleet resilience and productivity.

Industry Confidence in the DriX Platform

“This new order reflects the confidence Shom places in Exail’s uncrewed surface systems and in the operational maturity of the DriX platform,” said Pierre-Louis Roudaut, France Sales Manager at Exail. He noted that the DriX H-9 is the third unit ordered by different customers in just a few months, underscoring growing market confidence in the platform’s extended endurance and autonomy.

According to Exail, the H-9’s design is tailored to meet a broad spectrum of operational needs, from coastal hydrography to offshore survey missions, while maintaining high standards of data quality and system reliability.

Complementarity Within Shom’s Fleet

Denis Creach, Shom’s Transformation hydro-oceanographic capabilities officer, emphasized the complementary role the DriX H-9 will play alongside existing assets. Operated jointly with Marlin (the DriX H-8), the new platform will benefit from shared infrastructure, common operating procedures, and accumulated crew experience, further reducing the learning curve and accelerating operational readiness.

Strengthening France’s Hydrographic Future

With the integration of the DriX H-9 into Shom’s fleet, Exail and Shom continue a close collaboration focused on modernizing France’s hydrographic capabilities. The program highlights how uncrewed surface systems are moving from experimental tools to core operational assets, reshaping the way maritime data is collected, processed, and delivered in support of both national and international requirements.