The French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (Shom) is expanding its autonomous survey capabilities with the acquisition of a DriX H-9 Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) from Exail. This order follows the successful deployment of Shom’s first DriX, the “Marlin” (an H-8 model), received in December 2024, which demonstrated the operational value of uncrewed systems for maritime data collection.
The new DriX H-9 is designed to significantly enhance Shom’s survey efficiency and flexibility. With an endurance of up to 20 days, the vessel can be deployed either from shore—directly from the Brest naval base to operate in the English Channel or Atlantic—or from Shom’s flagship, the hydrographic vessel Beautemps-Beaupré. This dual deployment capability allows Shom to integrate the USV seamlessly into various mission profiles. The H-9 offers increased autonomy and operational range compared to its predecessor, enabling the service to accelerate data acquisition cycles and extend coverage across its areas of responsibility.
According to Denis Creach, Shom’s Transformation Hydro-Oceanographic Capabilities Officer, the H-9 will work in strong complementarity with the existing “Marlin.” The two USVs can be operated jointly, leveraging shared infrastructure and the operational experience Shom’s teams have already gained. This “dronization” of the hydrographic fleet aims to deliver certified, high-quality maritime data more rapidly to meet growing civil and military needs.
Pierre-Louis Roudaut, Exail’s France Sales Manager, noted that this order reflects Shom’s confidence in the maturity of the DriX platform. It marks the third H-9 model sold in recent months, underscoring the platform’s ability to meet diverse operational demands for extended endurance and autonomy.
The integration of uncrewed systems like the DriX H-9 allows Shom to gather essential data more efficiently for critical applications, including navigational safety, environmental monitoring, coastal zone management, and maritime spatial planning. This acquisition strengthens the ongoing collaboration between Exail and Shom, supporting the evolution of France’s national hydrographic capabilities and ensuring the timely availability of reliable maritime information.
