Uncrewed surface vessel (USV) developer Exail reports that it has sold its first DriX O-16 transoceanic USV to an unspecified commercial customer in the Indo-Pacific region. The sale was agreed shortly after the launch of the monohull unit, which has been designed for the collection of hydrographic, geophysical and environmental data.
Fashioned from infusion epoxy and a combination of e-glass and PVC, the DRiX O-16 measures 15.75m In length and 1.83 in breadth, and draws 2.55m. The USV utilises a dual-hybrid diesel-electric powertrain, including a 120kW diesel engine and a 20kW electric Azipod.
The DRiX O-16 weighs 10.5tonnes and has a fuel capacity of 2,300litres, enabling a range of 3,500nm, Exail says. The payload includes a sub-bottom profiler, a USBL and single and multibeam echosounders, to undertake fish and biomass monitoring, for example. The USV can also be fitted with a launch and recovery system (LARS) for the deployment and recovery of smaller ROVs and AUVs, permitting multi-vehicle operations. The DriX O-16 is also equipped with a forward-looking sonar, to detect potential obstacles in the water, as well as the CortiX obstacle avoidance system.
