US Air Force Moves Forward
Despite ongoing tensions with Canada, the United States is advancing plans to develop a new constellation of over-the-horizon (OTHR) radars. The Air Force recently announced public consultations to assess the environmental impact of potential radar sites in Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. Intended to boost homeland defense, these radars would provide enhanced detection of threats like low-flying cruise missiles from northern adversaries such as Russia.
NORAD Modernization and Expanded Reach
The OTHR initiative was originally conceived as a cooperative effort with Canada to upgrade NORAD’s defense capabilities. The plan involved Washington acquiring four radar systems and Ottawa two. By leveraging the ability of OTHR to see beyond the earth’s curvature, officials aim to significantly improve domain awareness and threat detection.
Impact of Political Tensions
However, recent political dynamics have complicated the collaboration. Strained relations introduced by the Trump administration have reportedly encouraged Canada to seek new radar technology from Australia. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to purchase the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) from Australia marks a significant shift and will represent Australia’s largest defense sale.
Decisions and Future Steps
In response to these changes, the US Air Force is considering potential radars, including those developed by RTX, the sole US supplier capable of meeting the program’s requirements. While the Air Force deferred $400 million in OTHR spending to the fiscal 2026 budget, specifics on the acquisition strategy remain unclear. Questions directed to both the US Air Force and the Canadian Department of National Defence have yet to be answered, leaving the future of the partnership and system choice unresolved.
