Exail unveils Neptis, a new model of maritime surveillance built on distributed autonomy

La Ciotat (France), October 9th, 2026 – Exail unveils Neptis, its new integrated autonomous maritime surveillance system designed to coordinate distributed autonomous assets. Built around the new Oryx family of Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs), defense-grade payloads and an integrated mission command-and-control system, Neptis is designed to extend the reach and persistence of maritime surveillance.

Designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Critical Undersea Infrastructure Protection (CUIP) and Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) missions, Neptis acts as a force multiplier while preserving high-value crewed platforms for the missions where they matter most.

By connecting distributed sensors above, on and below the surface into a coordinated autonomous capability, Neptis provides naval forces with a broader, more persistent operational picture, enabling faster decision-making.

“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,” says Sébastien Grall, Head of Maritime Autonomous Systems at Exail. “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 and expand surveillance capacity without proportionally increasing the number of personnel dedicated to these missions.”

To enable this new operational model, Exail draws on the experience gained with UMIS, its proven mine countermeasures system, where multiple surface and underwater unmanned platforms, mission payloads and communications are integrated and coordinated within a single system. With Neptis, Exail extends this system-integration expertise to a broader range of naval operational requirements.

SUPERVISING, COORDINATING AND OPERATING MULTIPLE AUTONOMOUS ASSETS

At the core of Neptis, the command-and-control system enables operators to supervise and coordinate multiple autonomous platforms within a common operational environment. Its modular architecture can combine tactical track visualization, mission planning, classification, advanced data fusion, AI-assisted decision support and interoperability with higher-level command systems, according to each navy’s operational requirements and existing C2 environment.

ORYX: A NEW SERIES OF USVs FOR NAVAL MISSIONS

As part of the Neptis system, the Oryx Series offers a range of autonomous surface vessels designed for diverse naval Concepts of Operations (CONOPS). Specifically developed for naval missions, these USVs build on Exail’s extensive experience in designing and operating robust, long-endurance, low-signature platforms.

The Oryx H-8, H-9 and O-16 address different endurance, deployment and payload requirements across coastal, offshore and multi-sensor naval missions.

A DISRUPTIVE MODEL, BUILT ON PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

Neptis combines a disruptive approach to maritime surveillance with technologies and operational experience already proven at sea. It draws on Exail’s expertise in robotics, high-performance navigation and long-endurance USVs.

This experience includes:

• 1.5 million+ nautical miles navigated by Exail USVs worldwide


• 300,000+ operational hours across civil and defense missions


• 90+ USVs sold worldwide across the DriX and Inspector ranges


• Sea State 7 proven survivability and navigation capability


• Participation in operations and exercises involving the US Navy, NATO and the French Navy

EURONAVAL 2026

Exail will present the Neptis system and the Oryx USV family to the international naval community at Euronaval in November 2026.

photo courtesy Exail