BY GARRY VENMAN

Missile defence investments now will help defend North America in a future fight.

For decades, the focus of missile defence for North America has been on nuclear ballistic weapons, which can fly high and fast to strike a target half a world away.

But another threat lurks beneath: cruise lower missiles, which fly lower and can carry devastating payloads. One important defence against those threats are surface-based radars that can see over the horizon to provide earlier warning and cue defensive measures. In recognition of this rising threat, the governments of Canada and the United States issued a Joint Statement by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden in March 2023 that committed Canada to procuring and fielding two next-generation Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) systems covering the Arctic and Polar approaches, the first by 2028.

Despite a growing list of defence priorities, now is not the time to cut corners on homeland defence. If cruise missile threats were to be deployed, Canada and the United States need proven and capable radar systems like OTHR to detect them.

To deliver urgently needed early missile warning, industry and government must collaborate to identify an OTHR provider and fund the program for rapid fielding.

OTHR: A GREAT LEAP FORWARD

Over-The-Horizon Radars can detect objects hundreds to thousands of miles away, beyond the range limit of conventional radars. They operate in the high-frequency band of 5 MHz to 35 MHz, using powerful radio signals transmitted by a large antenna.

What sets them apart from other missile defence systems is that they can see around the curvature of the Earth. This is possible through what is essentially a bank shot: they bounce their signal off the ionosphere, then the target, which reflects the energy back to the ionosphere and ultimately to the radar’s receiver.

OTHR systems have been used for years as the U.S. Navy’s primary detection system for border security and drug smuggling. The next-generation over-the-horizon radar would build on that technology.

The new systems being developed will be able to quickly detect, track and classify cruise missiles – day or night, and in any conditions, including when the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are on display.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Defence leaders like RTX’s Raytheon, which built the existing OTHR system for the U.S., have solutions to address the technical challenges of the next-generation OTHR program.

Key in the integration process is knowing how varying climates across North America can impact OTHR technology. A fi nal, fully operational radar will need to work from the Florida Keys to the Canadian Arctic.

Digital technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning will help to enable increased sensitivity to improve detection and predict where a missile is heading for a more accurate intercept. This is critical in missile defence, where every second counts.

And, finally, speed of delivery is just as critical. Working with industry partners that have mature programs and long-standing supplier relationships will allow Canada and the U.S. to meet a rapid deployment schedule. Global conflicts since 2020 have shown us that we cannot afford to move slowly.

THE TIME IS NOW

Current geopolitical dynamics require action—now, not later. Potential adversaries are actively testing missiles and advancing their capabilities. Early warning against and tracking of these threats requires integrated solutions that can be rapidly deployed. Industry has the technology and the connected systems to deploy advanced missile warning capabilities. We need the collaboration and speed of our Government partners to combat evolving and urgent threats.

Garry Venman is Chief Executive at Raytheon Canada