Uncrewed Surface Vehicles

• Length: 7,710m
• Breadth: 0,824m
• Draft: 2m
• Displacement: 1,4 t
• Mono-hull material: carbon Kevlar-reinforced composite
• Weight: 1,380 kg
• Propulsion: 38HP Diesel engine
• Fuel capacity: 250L (consumption average: 2l/h)
• Drive: 1 straight shaft with 1 fix pitch propeller

DriX highly hydrodynamic monohull and drop keel provide exceptional stability and balance to the platform. The USV will pierce waves and cannot capsize, even in high sea states. Keeping movements to a minimum, the USV ensures high stability. Thus widening the onboard sensors operation window.

DriX shape and stability allows for very high-speed capabilities (up to 14 knots), reducing transit downtime and providing high survey speeds with optimal data quality, harvested in a fraction of the usual times.

As far as endurance is concerned, DriX can sail for 7 days at 7 knots. At its top speed (14 knots), DriX can maintain continuous operations for 24 hours, while a speed of 4 knots will be required for a 10-day mission.

All sensors are embedded within a gondola located 2m below the surface, in a highly reduced-noise and bubble-free environment. This offers optimum conditions for high quality data acquisition. Exceptional acquisition conditions are further induced by DriX outstanding line keeping, including in high sea states (up to sea state 5) and cross current situations. It also has been noted that the post-processing phase of a project using DriX was reduced by half thanks to the very high quality of the collected data.

DriX is made out of composite material. This means the USV is lighter than its Marine Steel or Aluminum counterparts. It also means it is not submitted to corrosion. DriX lightweight also enables the USV to be powered by smaller engines for the same level of performance. The direct consequences are:

• Lower fuel consumption (brought even lower by DriX shape)
• A reduction of the greenhouse gas emission
• Less radiated noise in the water

DriX comes with a highly versatile payload system. The USV can either be fitted with a standard “universal gondola”, large enough to welcome a wide variety of sensors combinations, including:

• MBES
• INS
• USBL
• SBP
• Velocity Probes…

To switch sensors, operators can either replace the payload directly within the existing gondola, or they can decide to swap the whole gondola, with another one fitted with different sensors. This provides DriX with enhanced mission’s capabilities and takes less than 3 hours. Custom gondolas can also be made upon request.

Above the surface, DriX can also carry various sensors such as cameras, optical sensors, radars and LiDARs.

Obstacle avoidance for security at sea

As far as security at sea is concerned, DriX is fitted with an advanced collision avoidance system that uses data fusion thanks to DriX wide variety of embarked navigation sensors (video and IR cameras, LiDAR, radar…). Combined to DriX second-to-none maneuvering skills (180° turn in 17 yards at 14 knots), this allows for very safe navigation, even within restricted areas.

DriX is able to conduct both remote-controlled and supervised autonomous operations. Within the latter, DriX performs its missions by itself while the pilot supervises the operations, either within or beyond visual range (Over The Horizon).

Over the Horizon (OTH) capabilities are fundamental to autonomous operations. DriX outstanding endurance and stability, even in rough seas where human presence becomes hazardous, makes it an invaluable asset capable of:

• Selecting the best communication mode depending on the environment (SATCOMM, 4G…)
• Enhancing the use of the bandwidth to gain efficiency, reduce costs and guarantee critical data priorities
• Working perfectly with a minimum bandwidth
• Providing remote access for immediate support on request

The OTH monitoring can be done from any location on the planet, providing there is a high internet bandwidth to connect to the DriX USV(s) on a dedicated cloud and via a secured encrypted link. From iXblue’s own control center, we are able to monitor, in real-time, our USV(s):

• Status,
• Telemetry & Power Supply Management
• HMI features (including camera video streams, survey line plan…)
• Survey computer with all key information (including quality control)

DriX Deployment System (DDS)

Certified by Bureau Veritas, the DriX Deployment System (DDS) allows for swift and safe deployments and recoveries, up to sea state 3. Benefiting from a RHIB shape and making use of either one or two lifting points, the DDS can be deployed from a davit, a crane or an A-frame. Its state-of-the-art architecture also allows for the automatic docking of the DriX inside the DDS, with no human intervention. This auto-docking capability relies – amongst other things – on continuous exchange of positioning information between DriX (provided by its embedded GNSS and Phins C7 INS) and the DDS (through its GNSS and Quadrans AHRS).

Hydrography

• Seabed mapping for nautical charts
• Fairways and port surveys

Energy and telecommunication

• Pipeline route and inspection / Pipe prelay surveys
• Port and harbor development
• ROV and AUV positioning
• LBL array calibration
• Pre site, site and inspection survey
• Dredging

Oceanography & Environmental

• Seabed/habitat classification
• Shallow stratigraphy/geology
• Fisheries/biomass characterization
• Water column characterization (current, turbidity…)

Defense

• Military bathymetry
• Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA)
• Anti-submarine warfare
• Emergency disaster relief

DriX Supervisor Certification

iXblue offers dedicated training for professionals wanting to become certified DriX supervisors. The certification takes place in two phases:

• A 2-week theoretical e-learning course made up of 16 modules that you can take online following your own schedule. Modules cover topics such as DriX architecture, sensors, command and control, HMI or mobilisation/ demobilization…
• 6 days of intensive hands-on training with a certified instructor to learn how to operate DriX in real conditions. The practical session is run in small groups (6 people maximum) and will cover all practical aspects including commissioning, deployment & transport, piloting, payload integration, maintenance…