

Features
Length: 7,710m
Breadth: 0,824m
Draft: 2m
Displacement: 1,4 t
Mono-hull material: carbon Kevlar-reinforced composite
Weight: 1,380 kg
Propulsion: 38HP Diesel engine
Fuel capacity: 250L (consumption average: 2l/h)
Drive: 1 straight shaft with 1 fix pitch propeller
DriX H-8: Advanced performance, efficiency, and sustainability
Outstanding seakeeping and speed capabilities
DriX H-8 highly hydrodynamic monohull and drop keel provide exceptional stability and balance to the platform. The USV will pierce waves and cannot capsize, even in high sea states. Keeping movements to a minimum, the USV ensures high stability. Thus widening the onboard sensors operation window.
DriX shape and stability allows for very high-speed capabilities (up to 14 knots), reducing transit downtime and providing high survey speeds with optimal data quality, harvested in a fraction of the usual times.
As far as endurance is concerned, DriX H-8 can sail for 7 days at 7 knots. At its top speed (14 knots), DriX H-8 can maintain continuous operations for 24 hours, while a speed of 4 knots will be required for a 10-day mission.
Very high data quality
All sensors are embedded within a gondola located 2m below the surface, in a highly reduced-noise and bubble-free environment. This offers optimum conditions for high quality data acquisition. Exceptional acquisition conditions are further induced by DriX H-8 outstanding line keeping, including in high sea states (up to sea state 5) and cross current situations. It also has been noted that the post-processing phase of a project using DriX H-8 was reduced by half thanks to the very high quality of the collected data.
An environmentally conscious & economical platform
DriX H-8 is made out of composite material. This means the USV is lighter than its Marine Steel or Aluminum counterparts. It also means it is not submitted to corrosion. DriX H-8 lightweight also enables the USV to be powered by smaller engines for the same level of performance. The direct consequences are:
- Lower fuel consumption (brought even lower by DriX H-8 shape)
- A reduction of the greenhouse gas emission
- Less radiated noise in the water
A versatile and efficient platform
MBES
INS
USBL
Velocity Probes…
A wide range of sensors for multiple missions’ capabilities
DriX H-8 comes with a highly versatile payload system. The USV can either be fitted with a standard “universal gondola”, large enough to welcome a wide variety of sensors combinations, including:
To switch sensors, operators can either replace the payload directly within the existing gondola, or they can decide to swap the whole gondola, with another one fitted with different sensors. This provides DriX H-8 with enhanced mission’s capabilities and takes less than 3 hours. Custom gondolas can also be made upon request.
Above the surface, DriX H-8 can also carry various sensors such as cameras, optical sensors, radars and LiDARs.
From shallow to deep water
DriX H-8 is a versatile USV able to work in both shallow and deep water, enhancing its working domains. With a draft of 2m, DriX H-8 is able to conduct missions in coastal shallow waters down to 4-meter depths with all types of shallow water MBES. The USV can also operate in deep offshore thanks to its AUV tracking and communication capabilities allowed through Exail’s Gaps USBL and Canopus LBL systems. Existing third-party systems can also be implemented.
A new system that will allow DriX H-8 to work down to 3-meter water depths by reducing its draft to 90cm is currently under development for use with an MBES.

Multi-DriX H-8 operations
Deploying multiple DriX H-8 USVs is a simple and effective way to boost survey efficiency. With excellent seakeeping, the DriX H-8 performs reliably in all weather conditions. By maximizing every available weather window, multiple USVs significantly enhance productivity, reducing standby time—often up to 50% for traditional vessels—and minimizing downtime.
Managing multiple DriX H-8 USVs can be done either within visual range using a mother vessel or Over The Horizon from a remote Control Center.
Multiple DriX H-8 can either be fitted with the same sensors and be used on the same survey zone, or they can perform separate missions using different sensors. Deploying multiple DriX H-8 is made easy thanks to a dedicated HMI that displays all the various DriX H-8 data on the same user-friendly interface (cameras, telemetry, power supply management, navigation window…). This allows one single operator to manage multiple DriX H-8 missions with ease and efficiency and removes the need for additional operators or equipment.
An efficient launch and recovery system
DriX Deployment System (DDS)
Certified by Bureau Veritas, the DriX H-8 Deployment System (DDS) allows for swift and safe deployments and recoveries, up to sea state 3. Benefiting from a RHIB shape and making use of either one or two lifting points, the DDS can be deployed from a davit, a crane or an A-frame. Its state-of-the-art architecture also allows for the automatic docking of the DriX H-8 inside the DDS, with no human intervention. This auto-docking capability relies – amongst other things – on continuous exchange of positioning information between DriX H-8 (provided by its embedded GNSS and Phins C7 INS) and the DDS (through its GNSS and Quadrans AHRS).

A wide range of applications
- Oceanography & environmental
- Seabed/habitat classification
- Shallow stratigraphy/geology
- Fisheries/biomass characterization
- Water column characterization (current, turbidity…)
- Defense
- Military bathymetry
- Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA)
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Emergency disaster relief
Services
DriX H-8 Supervisor Certification
Exail offers dedicated training for professionals wanting to become certified DriX h-8 supervisors. The certification takes place in two phases:
A 2-week theoretical e-learning course made up of 16 modules that you can take online following your own schedule. Modules cover topics such as DriX H-8 architecture, sensors, command and control, HMI or mobilisation/ demobilization…
6 days of intensive hands-on training with a certified instructor to learn how to operate DriX H-8 in real conditions. The practical session is run in small groups (6 people maximum) and will cover all practical aspects including commissioning, deployment & transport, piloting, payload integration, maintenance…
A dedicated support team
Our qualified teams of hydrographers and geophysicists are also here to support you during your first hydrographic surveys using our DriX H-8 USV. From data acquisition, to the processing and reporting phases, our teams of professional surveyors will be with you every step of the way should you need more guidance after your training.
Operation Reports
Want to learn more about our DriX H-8 USV capabilities? Download our operation reports below.