The French Navy (Marine Nationale) conducted a set of trials with Exail’s DriX USV off the coast of Toulon and tested it in the latest “Dragoon Fury” unmanned systems exercise.
French Navy press release
Continuing its contribution to the droning of the Navy, as part of a experimental operation financed by the French procurement agency (DGA), the naval programme expertise centre (Centre d’Expertise des Programmes Navals – CEPN) sailors took control of Exail’s USV1 DriX H8 from the Toulon naval base.
The aim is to test the sailors’ ability to operate this type of drone autonomously and to explore use cases with a view to operational use.
Following training provided by Exail, a team of experts from the CEPN carried out tests on connectivity, manoeuvrability, sensors and to familiarise themselves with these new tools and explore their potential from March 3rd to 7th. The aim of these experiments is also to study and reduce the risks associated with taking this unmanned vehicle on board an amphibious helicopter carrier. The DriX is operated at sea from a shore-based control centre deployed at the naval base.
Having completed this initial technical phase, the teams are now taking part in the Dragoon Fury 25 exercise. The DriX is involved in the force’s manoeuvres, using its various sensors to collect the acoustic and environmental data needed for operations and to help establish the tactical situation.
-End-
Naval News comment:
Exail DriX USV docked in Toulon harbour. Credit: Marine Nationale
Exail DriX USV docked in Toulon harbour. Credit: Marine Nationale
Exail announced that French procurement agency selected Drix H-8 in December 2024 as part of the Marine Nationale’s hydro-oceanographic capability modernization. The USV capabilities were validated during trials conducted by the SHOM (Navy’s hydrographic center) aboard the hydro-oceanographic vessel Beautemps-Beaupré off the French coast of Brest in 2020 and in the Gulf of Lion in 2023.
As reported by Naval News Rear Admiral David Desfougères, the French Navy’s head of planning and programmes announced the navy is conducting a study assessing the role of USVs in future amphibious operations. It is what happened with the Dragoon fury exercise – meant to test new unmanned aerial and surface systems in a operational scenario.