HAARP facility tests over-the-horizon radar in Alaska

The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska has been used to test a radar system capable of detecting objects and signals beyond the visible horizon. The tests, conducted between September 7 and 11, 2026, utilized HAARP’s antenna array in conjunction with a receiver developed by MITRE and located in Cold Bay, Alaska.

Unlike conventional radar, this technology uses the ionosphere to extend the reach of radio signals. The experiment aims to determine if such technology can enhance United States surveillance capabilities in the Arctic, a region of increasing strategic importance for military activity and maritime routes. While initial results are reported as positive, researchers are still analyzing the collected data.

Originally a joint project of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and DARPA, the facility was transferred to the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2015. Although now under civilian academic control, the site remains a powerful research infrastructure featuring 180 antennas capable of transmitting up to 3.6 megawatts of radio frequency power.