Europe is finally learning to watch its seabed
Apr 12
Back to Companies
La Garde, FranceSaint-Germain-en-Laye, FranceMarly-le-Roi, FranceBordeaux, France115+more jobs on
the careers site115+more jobs on
the careers siteLa Garde, FranceSaint-Germain-en-Laye, FranceMarly-le-Roi, FranceBordeaux, France
Products & Solutions
UMIS (Unmanned MCM Integrated System)
A modular mine countermeasures system that combines aerial, surface and underwater unmanned vehicles — including inspector USVs, A9-M/A18-M AUVs, ROVs and towed synthetic aperture sonars — to detect, classify, identify and dispose of sea mines while keeping crews at safe distances. Managed through the Umisoft command and control software suite, UMIS can be deployed from ships, shorelines or a containerised format. It has been selected by the Belgian and Royal Dutch navies for the rMCM programme and by the Latvian Navy.
Naval Inertial Navigation Systems
A family of fibre optic gyroscope-based navigation and attitude systems for warships, submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles, including the Phins, Marins and Phins Compact ranges. The systems provide heading, roll, pitch and positioning data without relying on GNSS signals, with drift performance as low as 1 NM per 360 hours and qualifications to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461 standards. They cover submarines requiring acoustic signature minimisation through to compact INS units fitted in AUVs.
DriX Series Uncrewed Surface Vessels
A range of autonomous surface vessels designed for hydrographic survey, oceanographic research, subsea positioning and offshore operations, available in three models from 7.7 m to 15.75 m with ranges between 1,000 and 3,500 nautical miles. DriX vessels can operate beyond visual range via satellite and 4G/5G communications, support AUV and ROV deployment, and carry modular payloads. The fleet has accumulated over 250,000 hours at sea across 25+ countries.
Land and Air Inertial Navigation and Pointing Systems
The ADVANS series and related inertial measurement units provide navigation, pointing and stabilisation for land vehicles, artillery systems and airborne platforms operating in GNSS-denied or contested environments. The range covers vehicle navigation, weapon system pointing and stabilised optical and sensor platforms for ground forces.
Flight and Maintenance Training Simulation
Full-flight and maintenance training simulators for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, supplied to military and civil aviation operators. The systems cover cockpit procedures training, systems failure scenarios and aircraft maintenance task simulation, enabling crews and technicians to train without placing real aircraft at risk.
Photonics Products
A broad catalogue of high-performance optical components and instruments including lithium niobate electro-optic modulators, specialty optical fibres (polarisation-maintaining, photonic crystal and radiation-hardened variants), laser systems, quantum gravimeters and fibre Bragg grating filters. These are used in telecommunications, fibre optic gyroscopes, directed energy, quantum sensing and space applications, and are available via Exail's photonics e-shop.
Videos
ECA Group & iXblue are becoming Exail
Exail – Aerospace Solutions
Exail: A New High-Tech Champion Is Born
About
Exail is a French high-tech industrial group specialising in robotics, navigation, maritime autonomy, aerospace and photonics technologies. Headquartered in La Garde, France, the company was formed in 2022 when ECA Group and iXblue joined forces under the umbrella of Exail Technologies, a family-run group listed on Euronext Paris and controlled by the Gorgé family. The combined entity brings together over 90 years of expertise across both founding companies, employs more than 2,200 people at around 30 sites worldwide, and generates over €480 million in annual revenue with 80% of sales coming from exports.
Offices
La Garde, FranceSaint-Germain-en-Laye, FranceMarly-le-Roi, FranceBordeaux, FranceCustomers & Partners
Belgian NavyRoyal Netherlands NavyLatvian NavyNOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)Naval Group (MIRICLE MCM programme)Thales (quantum key distribution and French Navy SLAMF programme)Airbus Defence & Space (EURISA aerospace programme)Seabed 2030
Timeline
2025
Exail Technologies reported over €480 million in annual revenue, a 28% increase versus 2024, with 2,200+ employees across 30 sites worldwide.
2022-09
Acquisition of iXblue closed and ECA Group and iXblue officially merged to form Exail; parent company rebranded from Groupe Gorgé to Exail Technologies, listed on Euronext Paris under ticker EXA.
2022-03
Groupe Gorgé announced the acquisition of iXblue for an enterprise value of €410 million, combining it with ECA Group.
2000
iXblue founded, specialising in fibre optic gyroscope navigation systems, maritime autonomy and photonics.
1992
Groupe Gorgé acquired ECA Group, beginning the family-controlled ownership structure that persists today.
1936
ECA (Etudes et Constructions Aéronautiques) founded in Meudon, France, later relocating headquarters to La Garde (Toulon area).
Open Positions (5)
the careers site
Products & Solutions
UMIS (Unmanned MCM Integrated System)
A modular mine countermeasures system that combines aerial, surface and underwater unmanned vehicles — including inspector USVs, A9-M/A18-M AUVs, ROVs and towed synthetic aperture sonars — to detect, classify, identify and dispose of sea mines while keeping crews at safe distances. Managed through the Umisoft command and control software suite, UMIS can be deployed from ships, shorelines or a containerised format. It has been selected by the Belgian and Royal Dutch navies for the rMCM programme and by the Latvian Navy.
Naval Inertial Navigation Systems
A family of fibre optic gyroscope-based navigation and attitude systems for warships, submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles, including the Phins, Marins and Phins Compact ranges. The systems provide heading, roll, pitch and positioning data without relying on GNSS signals, with drift performance as low as 1 NM per 360 hours and qualifications to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461 standards. They cover submarines requiring acoustic signature minimisation through to compact INS units fitted in AUVs.
DriX Series Uncrewed Surface Vessels
A range of autonomous surface vessels designed for hydrographic survey, oceanographic research, subsea positioning and offshore operations, available in three models from 7.7 m to 15.75 m with ranges between 1,000 and 3,500 nautical miles. DriX vessels can operate beyond visual range via satellite and 4G/5G communications, support AUV and ROV deployment, and carry modular payloads. The fleet has accumulated over 250,000 hours at sea across 25+ countries.
Land and Air Inertial Navigation and Pointing Systems
The ADVANS series and related inertial measurement units provide navigation, pointing and stabilisation for land vehicles, artillery systems and airborne platforms operating in GNSS-denied or contested environments. The range covers vehicle navigation, weapon system pointing and stabilised optical and sensor platforms for ground forces.
Flight and Maintenance Training Simulation
Full-flight and maintenance training simulators for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, supplied to military and civil aviation operators. The systems cover cockpit procedures training, systems failure scenarios and aircraft maintenance task simulation, enabling crews and technicians to train without placing real aircraft at risk.
Photonics Products
A broad catalogue of high-performance optical components and instruments including lithium niobate electro-optic modulators, specialty optical fibres (polarisation-maintaining, photonic crystal and radiation-hardened variants), laser systems, quantum gravimeters and fibre Bragg grating filters. These are used in telecommunications, fibre optic gyroscopes, directed energy, quantum sensing and space applications, and are available via Exail's photonics e-shop.
Videos
ECA Group & iXblue are becoming Exail
Exail – Aerospace Solutions
Exail: A New High-Tech Champion Is Born
Open Positions (5)
the careers site
About
Exail is a French high-tech industrial group specialising in robotics, navigation, maritime autonomy, aerospace and photonics technologies. Headquartered in La Garde, France, the company was formed in 2022 when ECA Group and iXblue joined forces under the umbrella of Exail Technologies, a family-run group listed on Euronext Paris and controlled by the Gorgé family. The combined entity brings together over 90 years of expertise across both founding companies, employs more than 2,200 people at around 30 sites worldwide, and generates over €480 million in annual revenue with 80% of sales coming from exports.
Offices
La Garde, FranceSaint-Germain-en-Laye, FranceMarly-le-Roi, FranceBordeaux, FranceCustomers & Partners
Belgian NavyRoyal Netherlands NavyLatvian NavyNOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)Naval Group (MIRICLE MCM programme)Thales (quantum key distribution and French Navy SLAMF programme)Airbus Defence & Space (EURISA aerospace programme)Seabed 2030
Timeline
2025
Exail Technologies reported over €480 million in annual revenue, a 28% increase versus 2024, with 2,200+ employees across 30 sites worldwide.
2022-09
Acquisition of iXblue closed and ECA Group and iXblue officially merged to form Exail; parent company rebranded from Groupe Gorgé to Exail Technologies, listed on Euronext Paris under ticker EXA.
2022-03
Groupe Gorgé announced the acquisition of iXblue for an enterprise value of €410 million, combining it with ECA Group.
2000
iXblue founded, specialising in fibre optic gyroscope navigation systems, maritime autonomy and photonics.
1992
Groupe Gorgé acquired ECA Group, beginning the family-controlled ownership structure that persists today.
1936
ECA (Etudes et Constructions Aéronautiques) founded in Meudon, France, later relocating headquarters to La Garde (Toulon area).
Related articles
Explore more
Explore more
Similar Companies
MARSS Group
Builds AI-powered command and control systems for counter-drone defence, maritime security and critical infrastructure protection, deployed at over 60 sites worldwide.
5 roles
VABO Composites
Manufactures lightweight composite doors, hatches and masts for naval vessels, including the only maritime composite door certified for 60-minute fire resistance. Holds a multi-year supply contract with Damen Naval for the Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate programme.
5 roles
M
Mirai Robotics
Bari startup building software-defined autonomous surface vessels and AI information intelligence platforms for maritime operations. Targets persistent ISR and patrol missions and raised 3.6 million euro in pre-seed funding in 2026. Founded in 2025.
3 roles
I
ICS Technologies
Grottammare company, operating as X Technologies, building radar sensors and integrated surveillance and command-and-control systems for coastal, naval and defence security missions.
1 role
Exail owns its name, logo and all referenced trademarks — used here for identification only. Claim, update or remove this profile.