Future Hydrographic and Oceanographic Capacity programme could employ fusiform and lean-hulled USVs. French defence procurement agency DGA has awarded iXblue a €366,000 ($436,000) contract to experiment with the acoustic measurement, speed and range performance of fusiform-hulled (tapering at bow and stern) and lean-hulled USVs. These experiments will feed into the definition phase of the Future Hydrographic and Oceanographic Capacity (CHOF) programme for the French Navy. In November 2020, with CHOF in mind, iXblue provided its DriX USV and associated launch and recovery system for tests by the French Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service off the coast of Brittany (pictured). DriX has a drop keel with gondola which can accommodate a payload of up to 600 kg; a mast with a crows nest and Rafale crown; and a 37.5hp diesel engine.