OMS Group to deploy Exail’s DriX O-16 to support global subsea cable installation

OMS Group and Exail announced the acquisition of a second Exail DriX O-16 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), accelerating OMS Group’s deployment of autonomous survey capabilities to support the growing demand for subsea telecommunications cable infrastructure worldwide.

Performance and High Precision

Alongside the first DriX O-16 (to be named USV Elite and scheduled to be launched in mid-2026), these uncrewed vessels will perform high-precision seabed surveys, route verification, and monitoring for critical infrastructure globally.

In terms of technical and operational features, the DriX O-16 stands out with an operational endurance of up to 30 days and a range of approximately 3,500 nautical miles, significantly limiting reliance on large crewed vessels. To ensure high-resolution seabed mapping of the deep sea, the platform integrates a next-generation Kongsberg EM124 multibeam echo sounder. This setup reduces the survey carbon footprint by up to 99% while decreasing human exposure to risks at sea. Finally, these uncrewed surface vessels will be fully integrated into an expanding ecosystem alongside Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), with everything supervised in real-time from a Remote Operation Centre (ROC) located in Singapore.

French Excellence and Expertise

The DriX embodies the excellence of French high-tech engineering and export. By securing successive orders from a global giant like the Malaysian-based OMS Group, France demonstrates its ability to guide the ecological and digital transition of international offshore operations.