Why Canada is turning to Australia for its defence needs | 7.30

JORN (Jindalee Operational Radar Network) Summary

Key Concepts: Over-the-horizon radar (OTHR), high-frequency (HF) radio waves, ionospheric reflection, surveillance, Arctic defense, defense export, DSTG (Defense Science and Technology Group), low-flying target detection, spectrogram analysis.

Overview of JORN

JORN, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, is a world-leading over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) system designed to protect Australia by providing long-range surveillance capabilities. It allows the Australian military to detect potential threats in the air and at sea up to 3,000 kilometers away, well beyond the range of conventional radar systems. The system operates from three main locations: Laverton in Western Australia (receiving signals), Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, and Longreach in Queensland. The control center is located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, north of Adelaide.

Technical Functionality

JORN utilizes high-frequency (HF) radio waves that are transmitted approximately 100-110 kilometers up into the ionosphere. These waves then bounce back to the Earth's surface, effectively "seeing" over the horizon. Objects such as planes or ships reflect the waves back to JORN's massive array of receivers.

Key Features:

• Downlooking Viewing Geometry: A key advantage of OTHR is its ability to detect low-flying targets that might use terrain masking (mountains, valleys) to avoid detection by conventional radar.
• HF Radio Waves: Unlike conventional radars, JORN uses HF radio waves, enabling long-range detection via ionospheric reflection.
• Signal Analysis: Researchers at DSTG Edinburgh constantly analyze the received signals using tools like spectrograms to identify and track targets.

Development and History

JORN is the result of 50 years of development by the Defense Science and Technology Group (DSTG). The project began near Alice Springs under the name "Jindalee," an Aboriginal word meaning "the place the eye cannot see." The federal government initially allowed defense scientists to use the technology as an experimental facility.

Quote: Tanya Monroe, Chief Defence Scientist, states that JORN "gives us the ability to have eyes and ears over a really a large amount of sea and sky and that is critical for Australia."

Canada's Acquisition of JORN

Canada has announced plans to purchase JORN for its Arctic defense, marking a significant milestone as Australia's biggest defense export proposal. The deal was a surprise to some defense analysts.

Reasons for Canada's Choice:

• Proven Technology: JORN is an operational and proven OTHR system.
• Political Considerations: Murray Brewster of CBC suggests that choosing an Australian system offered Canada a political opportunity to diversify away from the US defense industrial complex, especially given trade tensions and political differences.
• Urgency: Canada faces pressing needs to surveil its northern reaches across the Arctic due to climate change making the region more accessible.

Quote: "I'm announcing that our government will be working with our long-standing defense and security partners Australia to build a new long range over the horizon military radar system"

Arctic Defense Implications

Climate change is making the Arctic more accessible, increasing the need for surveillance capabilities. JORN will provide Canada with the ability to detect potential threats in the region. Canada intends to move quickly with the procurement process, recognizing the urgency of the situation.

Conclusion

JORN represents a significant achievement in Australian defense technology, providing unparalleled long-range surveillance capabilities. Its acquisition by Canada highlights its value and effectiveness, particularly in the context of Arctic defense. The system's unique technical features, such as its downlooking viewing geometry and use of HF radio waves, make it a crucial asset for both Australia and Canada.