New intelligent seekers track targets at hypersonic speeds without GPS or radio signals

OKSI has unveiled a new family of intelligent seekers designed to guide weapons without GPS, laser designation, or radio communications. The systems use onboard sensing and computing to identify targets during flight. The technology targets a growing challenge for U.S. weapons operating in heavily contested electronic warfare environments. External signals can become unreliable when adversaries disrupt navigation or communications. Autonomous targeting goes onboard OKSI’s seekers combine electro-optical and infrared sensing with onboard computing. The system can recognize targets without waiting for continuous instructions from another platform. That capability could change how precision munitions operate after launch. The seeker handles important parts of the targeting process inside the weapon itself. Computer vision algorithms support target recognition across a wide speed range. OKSI says the systems can function from low-subsonic speeds through hypersonic flight. The seeker also supports lock-on-after-launch operations. A weapon can search for its target after launch instead of relying entirely on pre-launch designation. Multiple munitions could also attack different targets in rapid succession. Each seeker can maintain its own targeting process without continuous laser designation. That capability could reduce the workload for aircraft and ground units supporting a strike. It also gives individual weapons greater freedom during the final stages of an engagement. Designed for contested warfare Electronic warfare creates a difficult environment for weapons that depend on outside signals. Jamming can interfere with navigation and disrupt communications between a weapon and its operators. OKSI moves much of that functionality inside the munition. The seeker can continue tracking its target without maintaining an active RF connection. The company says the architecture can handle the targeting process onboard. That allows the weapon to progress from target detection toward engagement without depending on an external guidance source. Chris HolmesParker, OKSI’s CEO, said electronic warfare has exposed weaknesses in signal-dependent guidance. He described the seeker as a passive route to maintaining target lock. The architecture also addresses positioning, navigation, and timing challenges in GPS-denied environments. Alternative approaches can help weapons maintain their intended function when satellite navigation becomes unavailable. That capability could prove important for U.S. forces operating against advanced electronic warfare systems. A weapon that loses access to external signals can face major limitations during an engagement. One seeker, multiple missions OKSI built the seekers around open architecture standards used across U.S. defense programs. The design lets engineers modify key components without rebuilding the entire system. Different sensors and computing hardware can support the same underlying architecture. Software can also receive independent updates as requirements change. That flexibility could simplify integration across different weapons and platforms. It gives developers more room to tailor the seeker for specific missions. OKSI says the system can support counter-drone missions and maritime operations. Other potential applications include land attack, indirect fire, and interception. The seekers can serve both air and surface applications. Their design also emphasizes small size, weight, power, and cost requirements. OKSI says its engineering team brings more than 35 years of experience to the program. The company is positioning the seekers as production-ready systems for future precision weapons. The technology ultimately shifts more of the weapon’s decision-making process onboard. That approach could become increasingly important as U.S. forces prepare for environments where traditional guidance links face disruption. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.