Posted on 05/05/2007 4:55:23 PM PDT by Clive
Backgrounder
Modernizing NORAD's Air Defence System
BG–07.013 - May 1, 2007
Introduction
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) is a bi-national military organization formally established in 1958 by Canada and the United States to monitor and defend North American airspace. NORAD monitors and tracks man-made objects in space and detects, validates and warns of attack against North America by aircraft, missiles or ‘space vehicles’ (e.g. satellites and space debris). NORAD also provides surveillance and control of Canadian and U.S. airspace. The Canadian Air Defence Sector operates out of 22 Wing North Bay.
Project History
In 1996, Canada and the United States, in planning for the future of NORAD, decided it would be beneficial to modernize the tactical air defence system, essentially the computer system that tracks airspace activity in North America. The system NORAD was operating with at the time, the AN/FYQ-93 system, was expected to require replacement by the early 2000s.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the United States to replace the existing Region Operations Control Centre system in Canada and at four U.S. sites. Each country agreed to pay equally for costs to develop this system, and a performance-based contract, valued at $65 million USD, was awarded to Litton Data Systems to do so. This new system would be the NORAD-wide long-term air defence system solution.
Canada also identified its own need for an updated internal communications system and infrastructure at 22 Wing to support the modernization of the tactical air defence system. It was determined that NORAD operations would be better conducted in an above ground building, vice the existing underground facility. Approvals for these elements were received in 1997.
By 1999, several substantial and unplanned cost increases resulted in Litton Data Systems increasing their estimated cost to complete the project to double that of the cost ceiling imposed under the MoU. This excessive cost and growing delays in estimated project delivery of three to four years for the new system led the Bi-national Steering Committee to decide to cancel the contract, since it had become unaffordable and unable to meet reasonable timelines. Due to this cancellation, the Department of National Defence took the prudent steps of putting the internal communications system and infrastructure projects on hold, since the air defence system would impact both of them.
In June 2000, the United States made the decision to keep its air defence system of the day, the AN/FYQ-93 system, until a viable long-term solution could be identified. Canada, however, decided to pursue an interim air defence modernization solution independently. In the fall of that year, Canada decided on the NATO-based Multi AEGIS Site Emulator (MASE), an air defence system in use with 10 NATO ally countries, as a flexible and affordable interim solution. With no indication from the United States that an alternate long-term solution had been found, internal Departmental approvals of the MASE system proceeded in 2002. $10 million was planned to be invested to acquire it; however, only $440,000 was actually spent.
With the unforeseen events of September 11, 2001, came a greater importance on air defence in North America. The United States re-examined its decision to maintain the status quo and accelerated its internal development of a replacement long-term U.S. air defence solution. By 2003, the United States had chosen the Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F) as the long-term NORAD air defence system, and invited Canada to be a part of the BCS-F program. Since the original intent of modernizing NORAD had been to have one long term, common operating solution, the invitation was approved and Canada officially accepted the offer in June 2004. A foreign military sale, valued at $12.5 million, was established with United States Air Force Electronic Systems Centre to acquire the BCS-F in August 2004. The system was installed in November 2005, and achieved initial operational capability (including the four United States sectors) in October 2006. Concurrently, a new above ground complex was constructed, with the internal communications system installed and integrated into it.
Conclusion
The successful result is that NORAD is now operating with the long-term system solution to ensure that Canada and the United States can maximize their vigilant joint protection of North America in this new age of security threats. While the evolution of this project spanned nearly 12 years and included three air defence systems as solutions, Canada remained committed to NORAD modernization. All mandated project management policies and directives were adhered to between the Department of National Defence and Treasury Board over the course of the project.
The modernization of the Canadian NORAD Region/Sector Air Operations Centre was a challenging effort, but it is also proven to be an overall success, and has ensured the Canadian Forces have the necessary state-of-the art tools to accomplish their mission of continuing to monitor and better defend North American airspace.
More information on NORAD can be found at:
Canadian Forces website:
Backgrounder: Region/Sector Air Operations Centre Modernization ProjectAir Force website: Serving Canadians > North America
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade website
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