For the first time in at least twenty years, the US plans to build and install four over the horizon (OTH) radar systems in the United States and Canada plans to acquire two additional systems for the Canadian northwest. The resulting six systems are aimed at providing an early warning capability to detect the launch and track of Russian and Chinese long range cruise missiles. The US does not yet have any clear plan on how to shoot them down. This is far different than Russia, which has faced US long range cruise missile threats since the late 1970s and has updated its OTH radars, the latest
Bryen, good article! How does hypersonic tech play in all of this? Is detection/tracking of advanced hypersonic weapons (Mach >7-8) with OTH a challenge? Is the current range of existing hypersonic weapons a major limitation for intercontinental strikes? I'd imagine shooting those down currently presents a major challenge...
OTH radars may have problems tracking hypersonic weapons that fly close to the ground, but so far as I know, there are no such weapons yet. Intercepting hypersonic weapons depends on early warning and ability to deal with a maneuvering weapon. Presumably conventional radars can track hypersonic weapons.
I'm not so sure about this info. Would America be relying on an unpredictable ionosphere to bounce signals over the horizon when even shortwave radio enthusiasts have reported having trouble with it? Rocket launches leaving temporary holes in it? Mind you, NATO does drive tanks into mud holes so i guess any sort of oversight is possible.
Excellent article. I just wish that some in the deep state leadership in America would read it.
It doesn't mean that Russia is invincilble. It does mean that America isn't either.
Bryen, good article! How does hypersonic tech play in all of this? Is detection/tracking of advanced hypersonic weapons (Mach >7-8) with OTH a challenge? Is the current range of existing hypersonic weapons a major limitation for intercontinental strikes? I'd imagine shooting those down currently presents a major challenge...
OTH radars may have problems tracking hypersonic weapons that fly close to the ground, but so far as I know, there are no such weapons yet. Intercepting hypersonic weapons depends on early warning and ability to deal with a maneuvering weapon. Presumably conventional radars can track hypersonic weapons.
Meanwhile, we're running out of 155 rounds. That's okay. OTH radars will be on station when I'm dead.
I'm not so sure about this info. Would America be relying on an unpredictable ionosphere to bounce signals over the horizon when even shortwave radio enthusiasts have reported having trouble with it? Rocket launches leaving temporary holes in it? Mind you, NATO does drive tanks into mud holes so i guess any sort of oversight is possible.
https://x.com/thehealthb0t/status/1716122290008608807?t=fOLERd6jHFoo879T1Hooxg&s=35