• 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)