The Canadian government is set to install a network of sensor stations in the Arctic region to strengthen Norad's surveillance and early warning abilities.
What happened
National Defence plans to install 47 sensor stations across the North, starting in Yukon near the Alaskan border and extending along the Arctic coast to Alert, Nunavut. The project, called Project Crossbow, will utilize Hercules aircraft and Chinook helicopters to airlift passive sensor installations.
The sensor stations will be powered by solar and wind energy and will operate autonomously, with minimal staffing required for setup and annual maintenance. The project is expected to be completed by 2032 and will run for another 20 years once fully deployed.
The federal government has invested billions of dollars in modernizing Norad's equipment, including the Northern Approaches Surveillance system, which includes the over-the-horizon radar project. The new sensor network will add an extra layer of detection to Norad's capabilities.
