Exail DriX H-8
A slender autonomous survey vessel used for civil and military ocean data collection, including a documented French Shom delivery.
- Country / region
- France
- Programme status
- In service / use documented
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Sea surface
- System type
- Uncrewed surface vessel
- Developer / manufacturer
- Exail
- Origin / production countries
- France
- Other names
- DriX H8; Marlin — Shom's named H-8 vessel
- Variants / configurations
- DriX H-8; H-9 and O-16 are related, separately specified models
- Operators / programme customers
- France — Shom; Commercial and research operators in mission-specific configurations
Evidence & current status
Delivery and full operational readiness are distinguished. H-8/H-9 data-sheet values are identified; the manufacturer's product page contains a different mass baseline.
Role & capabilities
- Hydrographic survey
- Environmental data collection
- Maritime sensor support
Specifications in context
- Configuration
- Uncrewed survey monohull with submerged payload gondola
Supplier-published figure; configuration and operating conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Hull / propulsion
- Composite hull; approximately 38 hp diesel with shaft-driven propeller
Supplier-published figure; configuration and operating conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- 7.71 m length; about 0.8 m beam; 2 m draft
Supplier-published figure; configuration and operating conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Displacement / mass
- Product page: about 1.4 t; downloadable sheet: 1.6 t
The product page and sheet differ; loading/configuration is not reconciled.
Source ↗ - Payload
- 750 W electrical payload allowance in H-8/H-9 data sheet
Electrical capacity rather than payload mass.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- Up to 10 days, dependent on speed
Supplier-published figure; configuration and operating conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Range
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Speed
- Up to 14 knots, dependent on payload
Supplier-published figure; configuration and operating conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Sea state / environment
- Supplier describes survey capability up to sea state 5
Survey standard and payload conditions apply.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- Configurable multibeam sonar, oceanographic instruments, radar and cameras
Supplier-published figure; configuration and operating conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Communications / control
- Supervised autonomy or direct remote control; LOS and satellite/cellular links
Supplier-published figure; configuration and operating conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Launch / deployment
- Dedicated launch/recovery system; shore or supporting-vessel deployment
Shom plans include port use and embarkation aboard Beautemps-Beaupré.
Source ↗