Exail has unveiled Neptis, an integrated maritime surveillance system designed to coordinate uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), defense-grade sensors and a mission command-and-control system for naval operations.
As disclosed, Neptis is designed to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), critical undersea infrastructure protection (CUIP) and counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) missions.
The system combines distributed sensors operating above, on, and below the water with autonomous platforms to provide naval forces with a broader operational picture. According to Exail, the approach is intended to extend surveillance coverage and persistence while reducing the need to deploy crewed vessels for monitoring missions.
“Naval surveillance has traditionally relied on sending valuable ships and crews into the areas that need to be monitored. Autonomous systems fundamentally change that equation. With Neptis, navies can establish persistent presence across much larger areas, multiply their surveillance capacity and reduce the burden on crews and operators. The objective is to sustain that presence over time, support faster, better-informed decisions at sea and expand surveillance capacity without proportionally increasing the number of personnel dedicated to these missions," Sébastien Grall, Head of Maritime Autonomous Systems at Exail, said.
At the center of Neptis is a command-and-control system that allows operators to supervise and coordinate multiple autonomous platforms within a shared operational environment. Its modular architecture can incorporate tactical track visualization, mission planning, classification, data fusion, AI-assisted decision support and interoperability with higher-level command systems, depending on a navy's requirements and existing command-and-control infrastructure.
Neptis is built around Exail's new Oryx family of USVs, comprising the Oryx H-8, H-9 and O-16 models. The vessels are designed to address different endurance, deployment and payload requirements for coastal, offshore and multi-sensor naval missions.
Exail said the Oryx series draws on its experience in developing long-endurance, low-signature autonomous surface platforms for maritime operations.
The company is also drawing on its experience with UMIS, its integrated mine countermeasures system, which coordinates multiple surface and underwater uncrewed platforms, mission payloads and communications. With Neptis, Exail is extending this systems-integration approach beyond mine countermeasures to a wider range of naval missions.
Exail cited more than 1.5 million nautical miles navigated by its USVs worldwide and over 300,000 operational hours across civil and defense missions. The company also reported sales of more than 90 USVs across its DriX and Inspector product ranges.
According to Exail, its platforms have demonstrated survivability and navigation capabilities in Sea State 7 conditions. The company also cited participation in operations and exercises involving the US Navy, NATO and the French Navy.