AFRL/Industry Team Conducts Successful Radar Seeker Tests Published May 6, 2008 By Victor Torres, AFRL/RWGS Munitions Directorate WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Researchers from AFRL and radar technology company Mustang Technology Group completed a series of captive flight test activities for the FALCON EYE seeker program. The FALCON EYE program focuses on the integration of low-cost technologies that collectively provide autonomous engagement capabilities against potential maritime mobile threats. As part of the ongoing evolution of Air Force (AF) guided weaponry, the FALCON EYE seeker increases the warfighter's capacity to engage moving and stationary surface targets regardless of environment and/or weather conditions. For the recent test activity, the research team employed a newly developed software-controlled radar seeker consisting of a wide-field-of-view monopulse antenna and radio frequency (RF) front end, an assembly constructed entirely from inexpensive commercial off-the-shelf components. The seeker was integrated into a lightweight twin-engine aircraft and controlled by a non-form-factored digital processing unit. The researchers collected data pertaining to seeker performance against a variety of surface targets. In addition to validating the seeker's range and directional performance, the data is also assisting the refinement of related algorithms and simulations. The AFRL/industry team will continue this progressive development effort by form-factoring the seeker's digital back end, coding its algorithms, and completing its integration with the RF front end. FALCON EYE is laying the groundwork necessary for providing the AF a simple, affordable approach to attacking a broad range of mobile target threats. Easily integrated into a wide variety of weapon systems, the small, modular configuration successfully leverages a variety of low-cost, high-performance components emerging in the electronics market.