Newsroom
- Defense
9 Oct 2026
Exail unveils neptis, a new model of maritime surveillance built on distributed autonomy
Designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Critical Undersea Infrastructure Protection (CUIP) and Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS)missions, Neptis acts as a force multiplier while preserving high-value crewed
platforms for the missions where they matter most.
By connecting distributed sensors above, on and
below the surface into a coordinated autonomous capability, Neptis provides
naval forces with a broader, more persistent operational picture, enabling
faster decision-making.
“Naval surveillance has traditionally relied on sending valuable ships and crews into the areas that need to be monitored. Autonomous systems fundamentally change that equation. With Neptis, navies can establish persistent presence across much larger areas, multiply their surveillance capacity and reduce the burden on crews and operators. The objective is to sustain that presence over time, support faster, better-informed decisions at sea and expand surveillance capacity without proportionally increasing the number of personnel dedicated to these missions.”
To enable this new operational model, Exail draws on the experience gained with UMIS, its proven mine countermeasures system, where multiple surface and underwater unmanned platforms, mission payloads and communications are integrated and coordinated within a single system. With Neptis, Exail extends this system-integration expertise to a broader range of naval operational requirements.
SUPERVISING, COORDINATING AND OPERATING MULTIPLE AUTONOMOUS ASSETS
At the core of Neptis, the command-and-control system enables operators to supervise and coordinate multiple autonomous platforms within a common operational environment. Its modular architecture can combine tactical track visualization, mission planning, classification, advanced data fusion, AI-assisted decision support and interoperability with higher-level command systems, according to each navy’s operational requirements and existing C2 environment.
ORYX: A NEW SERIES OF USVs FOR NAVAL MISSIONS
As part of the Neptis system, the Oryx Series
offers a range of autonomous surface vessels designed for diverse naval
Concepts of Operations (CONOPS). Specifically developed for naval missions,
these USVs build on Exail’s extensive experience in designing and operating
robust, long-endurance, low-signature platforms.
The Oryx H-8, H-9 and O-16 address different
endurance, deployment and payload requirements across coastal, offshore and
multi-sensor naval missions.
A DISRUPTIVE MODEL, BUILT ON PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES
Neptis combines a disruptive approach to
maritime surveillance with technologies and operational experience already
proven at sea. It draws on Exail’s expertise in robotics, high-performance
navigation and long-endurance USVs.
This experience includes:
- 1.5 million+ nautical miles navigated by Exail USVs worldwide
- 300,000+ operational hours across civil and defence missions
- 90+ USVs sold worldwide across the DriX and Inspector ranges
- Sea State 7 proven survivability and navigation capability
- Participation in operations and exercises involving the US Navy, NATO and the French Navy
EURONAVAL 2026
Exail will present the Neptis system and the Oryx USV family to the international naval community at Euronaval in November 2026.
