Boeing is maturing an Ultra Low-Cost Seeker (ULCS) through testing milestones as it develops an affordable radar seeker for offensive and defensive weapon programs.
- The team successfully tested the sensor’s design in an anechoic chamber to limit signal reflections, captive carry, and in high-speed flights on a scaled-down rocket.
Why it matters: ULCS reflects a new approach to seeker architecture, manufacturability, and affordability -- designed to dramatically reduce per-unit costs and enable precision munition employment at scale across programs.
- In support of the Department of War’s priorities, ULCS uses a modular open systems design for rapid, high-volume production.
- Boeing is evaluating the seeker technology for use across its integrated air and missile defense, direct attack, and cruise missile portfolios.
Driving the news: Earlier this summer, Boeing completed multiple test events, including captive carry testing from a passenger aircraft to representative-environment testing.
- A Beechcraft 1900 flew ULCS over land and maritime environments to confirm baseline target detection and tracking.
- At Spaceport America®, New Mexico, ULCS tracked an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle from the ground and was also placed on a surrogate rocket to track a reflector drone.
- In all tests, ULCS survived acceleration and vibration and successfully detected and tracked targets.