Exail has been awarded a contract by a European navy to deliver three light Mine Countermeasures (MCM) systems designed for rapid deployment from rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), according to the company.
The company said the systems are intended to help naval forces identify and neutralise underwater mines in shallow waters and in environments where larger vessels cannot operate.
Each system integrates Exail’s UMIS technology into a 9.5-metre RHIB, configured to deploy an adaptable combination of three mine identification and disposal vehicles—Seascan and K-Ster—tailored to mission requirements. The boat is also equipped with a drone piloting console, a dedicated launch-and-recovery berth, and Exail’s Gaps USBL acoustic positioning and communication system.
Exail said the system is driven by its Umisoft software and can be operated by a crew of three, with a focus on reducing the logistical footprint for mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams.
“Navies need MCM capabilities that are faster to deploy, easier to operate, and ready for increasingly complex maritime threats,” said Gregory Leclercq, business developer at Exail.
Exail said the RHIB-based system could also accommodate alternative payloads not included in the current contract, including its A9-M autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), R7 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or small third-party UAVs.
The company said the contract reflects demand for mine countermeasure options that can operate from lighter craft, alongside larger naval platforms, as navies seek to protect strategic maritime access.
