Newsroom
Unmanned Surface Vessels for defense operations
Oryx Series
In a contested environment, persistence changes everything. Engineered for maximum versatility, it delivers 360° surface and subsea situational awareness across ASW, ISR, and CUIP operations—extending coverage, fusing data, and accelerating decisions to protect personnel.
Unmanned surface vessels (USVs)
in a military context
Unmanned Surface Vessel (USVs) play a strategic role in modern naval warfare by enabling the persistent capture of maritime information traffic—including surveillance, environmental, and situational data—across surface and subsurface domains.
A networked system of autonomous vehicles, modular mission payloads and unified C2 extends the surveillance reach of naval forces above, on and below the surface, enabling them to monitor larger areas and build a more comprehensive understanding of the maritime environment.
Oryx USVs, operational flexibility
Oryx USVs can carry sensors forward, remain on task 24/7 and operate as part of a wider naval force at a fraction of the cost and with minimal manpower
Navies can select the Oryx USV model, sensors, communications and shore or ship-based control arrangement suited to the mission.
Oryx USVs are integrated into the Neptis maritime surveillance system combining unmanned platforms, defense-grade payloads, and C2 software. The system extends operational reach and persistence while preserving high-value vessels and their crews for higher-priority missions.
|
Oryx H-8 Medium range USV |
Oryx H-9 Long Range USV |
Oryx O-16 Transoceanic range |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Length |
7.71 m |
9 m |
15.75 m |
|
Displacement |
1.6 t |
2.1 t |
10.5 t |
|
Endurance* |
Up to 10 days |
Up to 20 days |
Up to 30 days |
|
Speed |
< 14 kts |
< 13 kts |
< 16 kts |
|
Fuel capacity |
250 L |
550 L |
2300 L (Dual hybrid propulsion) |
|
Range |
1,000 NM |
|
3,500 NM |
|
Towing / Deployment |
Towing capabilities |
SSS L&R and towing capabilities |
ROTVs, ROV, UAV, AUV L&R |
* Endurance depends on speed, gondola size, payload equipment and towing capabilities.
Military USV applications
The Oryx USV has been designed to meet the diverse operational needs of modern navies. Its adaptability makes it a valuable asset across Maritime Domain Awareness missions.
Military hydrography
Unmatched maturity and reliability to military hydrographic surveys.
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Continuous submarine detection and tracking over wide maritime areas, extending ASW coverage while significantly reducing exposure of crews.
Critical Underwater Infrastructure Protection (CUIP)
Permanent maritime presence, reinforcing deterrence and enabling navies to secure vital infrastructures 24/7.
Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)
Extending naval capabilities, reducing the need for manned patrols, and ensuring continuous, persistent 24/7 surveillance at sea.
Proven at sea
Oryx builds on the proven technological and operational heritage of the civil DriX USV, Exail’s pioneering USV. Designed specifically for defense missions, it draws on the DriX family’s naval architecture, hydrodynamic performance, autonomous capabilities and years of operational experience at sea.
300,000 +
operational hours across civil and defense missions
1,500,000 +
NM of navigation by Exail USV
SS7
proven survivabilty and navigation capability
30 +
days of autonomous operations
Operational capabilities: meeting the full spectrum of naval needs
- Low signature: Minimal visual, radar, and acoustic detectability
- Reliability & redundancy: extended and repeated operations.
- Open architecture: integration of diverse military payloads and sensors
- Deployment: from shore, port or mothership
- Resilient navigation: maintain safe operation in degraded environments
- Multi-drone coordination: surface relay or in direct support of subsea drones
Oryx: Defense innovation built on a sea-proven foundation
Engineered specifically for defense missions, Exail’s Oryx USV inherits the mature naval architecture, hydrodynamics, and autonomous capabilities of the field-proven DriX platform. Building on a heritage demonstrated across offshore energy, hydrography, and marine science, Oryx brings sea-tested reliability directly to military applications. Its foundational technology has already participated in high-profile defense operations and exercises—including with the US Navy (Task Force 59 and 4th Fleet), NATO (Task Force X and REPMUS), and the French Navy—ensuring rapid integration with minimal operational risk.
Integrated unmanned maritime surveillance system
Oryx USVs are integrated into the Neptis maritime surveillance system combining unmanned platforms, defense-grade payloads, and C2 software. The system extends operational reach and persistence while preserving high-value vessels and their crews for higher-priority missions.
In service support
Oryx comes with a structured after-sales support offering designed to ensure maximum availability, security, and performance throughout the entire system lifecycle. From daily operations to long-term projects, Exail supports you with expertise, connectivity, and services, whenever and wherever needed.
The solution is built around a core of progressive annual subscriptions seamlessly integrated with a wide array of on-demand services—ranging from on-site technical assistance and expert training to remote operations and premium support—to ensure agile and tailored support for the success of all your projects.
