Arctic experiment explores ways to close air surveillance gaps
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — U.S. military personnel, scientists and international partners conducted live-fly testing Sept. 7–11, 2026, during the final event of a three-year Arctic air domain awareness experiment series, collecting data to assess technology that could help close surveillance gaps across Alaska.
The experiment examined whether an existing high-frequency transmitter, paired with a newly developed, low-cost receiver array, could detect aircraft beyond the coverage of current long-range radar sites. The effort focused on improving awareness across a region where vast distances, harsh weather and limited infrastructure present challenges for air surveillance.
Researchers used the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility and a receiver array in Cold Bay developed by MITRE to collect data on participating aircraft over the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. MITRE also supported the effort throughout the three-year experiment series and designed and executed the field experiment in partnership with government, scientific, and operational participants.
“Understanding what this technology can do in the Arctic starts with collecting data under real operating conditions,” said Dr. Carolyn Stwertka, Chief Scientist, Alaskan Command. “Working with operational units allows us to compare the experimental observations with known aircraft positions and assess where this approach could help address gaps in air surveillance.”
The team successfully completed testing, meeting or exceeding its test execution objectives. Initial results show the system was successfully able to achieve full skywave (beyond line of sight) detections of aircraft and correlation to truth flights. Thorough data analysis is ongoing.
The effort brought together Alaskan Command, U.S. Northern Command, the Air Force Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Canada, and scientific and operational partners.
Participating aircraft included an E-3 Sentry from the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, HC-130J Combat King IIs from the 211th Rescue Squadron and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 168th Air Refueling Wing. The aircraft served as cooperative targets, providing known positions against which researchers could compare the experimental data.
The September event marked the conclusion of live-fly testing in the experiment series, which explored how existing infrastructure and emerging technology could complement current surveillance capabilities.
For Alaskan Command, the effort supports a broader focus on strengthening Arctic defenses through scientific collaboration and operational experimentation. Improving the ability to detect and track aircraft across Alaska and its approaches helps commanders assess potential threats and make informed decisions in defense of the homeland.
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