Over-The-Horizon Radar (OTHR) contracts won by D-TA Systems
NewsDecember 12, 2018
OTTAWA, Ontario. D-TA Systems won three Over-The-Horizon Radar (OTHR) projects worth more than $14 million this year.
The first project was directly with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), an agency of the Department of National Defence (DND), for the delivery of a 256-channel OTHR receiver for installation within the National Capital Region (NCR) of Canada. This project is a continuation of DRDC’s efforts to develop OTHR capability in Canada over the last 12 years.
The second and third awards are for the delivery of a 1024-channel OTHR receiver, and a 256-channel OTHR transmitter for installation in the Canadian polar region. These two projects form the heart of the Polar Over-The-Horizon Radar (POTHR) system for monitoring the Canadian north. Raytheon Canada Limited (RCL) is the prime contractor for the POTHR project.
OTHR provides an economical means to track air targets over large areas of land and ocean. Recent advances in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) OTHR technology has shown significant promise to suppress clutter from the Auroral zone, according to a D-TA release. The concept has been proven by DRDC scientists in multiple test beds that were installed in Ottawa. POTHR is reportedly the largest HF radar system to ever be built.
D-TA has been involved with DRDC scientists during the last seven years and some of the early test systems were developed by D-TA engineers.
The test sites will enable the DRDC scientists to study the impact of the Aurora Borealis on target detection beyond line-of-sight. Should the tests prove successful, Canada may decide to build additional radar sites.
“The POTHR project is one of the largest projects handled by D-TA, it has already generated over 10 new technical jobs and it is just the beginning,” says Dr. Dipak Roy, Founder & Chairman of D-TA Systems Inc.
