Echo Seeker is a fully autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) developed by Boeing’s Advanced Technology Program. The 32-foot-long vehicle provides ample payload capacity and energy for diving and operating at ocean depths to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters). Echo Seeker is equipped with sonar to enhance ocean-bottom mapping capabilities and has an internal payload capacity of about 6,000 pounds (2,722 kilograms). The vehicle can also accommodate payloads extending outside of its envelope.

Boeing has designed and operated manned and unmanned deep sea systems since the 1960s, including Rockwell International legacy systems and U.S. Navy support programs. In 2001 Boeing’s Echo Ranger UUV began operations and continues today as a contracted work system for ocean surveys. Echo Seeker enables ocean access capabilities beyond those of Echo Ranger, offering potential customers a larger UUV with increased depth, endurance and payload capabilities.

In this photo Steve Dombkowski, Boeing field mechanical lead, checks the oil level in Echo Seeker’s main propulsion motor compensator.