US spends $40M to rebuild Cold War-era Arctic radar for missile, low-flying threats

The US Air Force has awarded a $40 million contract to repair aging radars in the Canadian Arctic that are critical for detecting low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles. These radars, part of the North Warning System, were installed in the early 1990s to replace the old Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line. Decades of harsh Arctic weather—blizzards, high winds, and extreme temperature swings—have severely damaged their protective fiberglass domes (radomes).

The threat is significant: the Arctic provides the shortest flight path from Russia to North America, making these radars essential for NORAD to spot incoming bombers or missiles flying at low altitude. The repair contract, awarded to IAP World Services and expected to be completed by 2035, will replace 28-foot radomes. Due to logistical challenges and harsh conditions in remote northern locations, the project’s cost has nearly doubled from the initial estimate of $21.7 million. Until newer technology is deployed, these Cold War-era radars remain vital to continental defense.