The U.S. military completed testing of a new aircraft detection system in Alaska designed to improve surveillance across the state, the Department of Defense said. The test, conducted last month, was the final stage of a three-year Arctic air domain awareness experiment that examined whether a high-frequency transmitter paired with low-cost receivers could detect aircraft beyond the coverage of existing long-range radar sites.
Initial results show the system successfully detected aircraft at long distances during testing over the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, according to the military. Researchers used the University of Alaska Fairbanks' High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility and a receiver array developed by industry partners in Cold Bay to collect data during test flights.
The Arctic region presents unique surveillance challenges due to vast distances, harsh weather and limited infrastructure, the military said. The new approach could complement existing radar capabilities in areas where current coverage is limited.
"Understanding what this technology can do in the Arctic starts with collecting data under real operating conditions," said Carolyn Stwertka, chief scientist for Alaskan Command. The experiment brought together Alaskan Command, U.S. Northern Command, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Defence Research and Development Canada.
The test used military aircraft as cooperative targets — an E-3 Sentry, HC-130J Combat King IIs, and KC-135 Stratotankers — to provide known positions for researchers to evaluate the experimental data. Thorough data analysis is ongoing, according to the Department of Defense.