Canada reveals first requirements for future long-range air-to-air missile
A technician arms an inert Laser Guided Training Round on a CF-188 Hornet. (Photo: Canadian DND)
Exclusive: Ottawa says its future NORAD interceptor must be highly stealthy, resistant to jamming and capable of engaging threats at very long range, while leaving the competition open to domestic and international suppliers.
The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has exclusively disclosed to Shephard the first official description of the operational requirements for the country’s future long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM), a capability being acquired under the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) modernisation programme.
An official spokesperson for the DND confirmed that Ottawa intends to procure systems that are “extremely stealthy”, guided by advanced radar technology and “more resistant to jamming by adversaries”.
These next-generation interceptors are “intended to be used for advanced beyond-visual-range combat, and to counter threats from a very long range”, the official claimed.
Although the programme schedule
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