Exail to build Advanced Centre for Software Integration and Simulation in Adelaide

French prime contractor Exail, which is short-listed for the RAN’s autonomous minehunting program, Project SEA1905 Tranche 1, will open an Advanced Centre for Mine Countermeasures systems Software Integration and Simulation (ACSIS) in Adelaide if it wins the program. This will support Adelaide-based SME Acacia Systems, which is one of Exail’s industry partners in this bid, and mirrors the company’s recently opened centre in La Garde, France.

The new Centre will serve as a blueprint for software reference, integration and support. Exail has also opened its first Australian office, in the North Sydney premises of industry partner UGL and close to

Exail CEO Dominique Giannoni, who was in Sydney for Indo Pacific 2023, said the new centre based in France demonstrates Exail’s commitment to leading the future of rapid integration of autonomous MCM technology.

“We are ready to deliver third generation MCM capability to Australia alongside our Australian partners and this centre symbolises our commitment to further transforming autonomous technology and enhancing of the capabilities of our mine countermeasures and military survey systems,” he said.

Exail is collaborating closely with several local Australian industry partners including UGL, Solutions from Silicon (SfS) and Acacia Systems in its effort to secure SEA 1905 and then swiftly integrate the autonomous technology into the RAN.

Its 3^rd-generation stand-off MCM system represents a transformative approach to naval defence. Designed to be faster, more precise and safer for naval personnel, this integrated solution can be deployed directly from the shore or from mother ships positioned away from potential minefields.

“The Royal Netherlands and Belgian navies’ adoption of our system speaks volumes,” said Giannoni. “Their endorsement is a testament to the system’s efficiency and advanced operational capabilities.”

He said Exail was eager to foster long-term partnerships in Australia, focused on intellectual property transfer and skilled job creation. In a region with a vast and strategically important coastline, safeguarding maritime territories is essential for defence, sovereignty, regional stability and international trade.

“We are ready to receive the necessary know-how to maintain Exail’s core UMISOFT Mission Management software,” said Acacia Systems CEO Horden Wiltshire.

“Acacia will be trained on the French-based centre for MCM software integration and simulation which, in the short term, will support the major NATO MCM projects Exail has secured in Europe for the Belgian and Dutch navies,” he added.

Exail’s state-of-the-art facility embraces advanced features such as dynamic drone modelling and improved cyber security that are set to revolutionise mine countermeasures and military survey systems.

The Advanced Centre for Software Integration and Simulation (ACSIS) in France, and the Adelaide version, will embrace:

• Software Validation
• Advanced Mission Simulation
• UMIS delivery test and evaluation (T&E)
• Centre of Expertise
• Modular solutions integration
• Cost-Efficiency