BCS-F replaces the ageing AN/FYQ-93 system, in use since 1983, bringing the centre into the 21st century with improved sensor capacity and a streamlined tactical display. “It brought the BCC into the 21st Century,” said Lt. Col. James Fowley, former 176th ADS commander, highlighting the system’s increased interoperability with legacy radar systems.
The previous configuration required operators to manage multiple systems using separate keyboards and trackballs, resulting in a cluttered and inefficient setup. “Nearly every system added to 176th ADS operator workstations since 9/11 had its own hardware,” Fowley noted, describing the challenges that prompted the upgrade.
To resolve these issues, NORAD completed a $13.1 million agile operations project in December 2024, which introduced a unified interface through the ThinkLogical keyboard, video, and mouse system. This integration enables air defence operators to access all critical systems from a single workstation, improving speed and coordination during live operations.
The newly fielded BCC was declared fully operational at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 24 January, officiated by Royal Canadian Brigadier General David Moar, Deputy Commander of the Alaskan NORAD Region. “This first of its kind in [Indo-Pacific Command] provides the combatant commander with increased efficiency and reduced opportunities for human error,” Fowley said during the event.
According to Fowley, the system has already proven effective in real-world scenarios, supporting the first NORAD intercepts of Chinese H-6 bombers and a later intercept of Russian Tu-95 aircraft off Alaska’s coast. These events demonstrated the centre’s ability to manage increasing geopolitical and strategic complexity.
The project was funded by the National Guard Reserve Equipment Appropriation through Air Combat Command, NORAD’s 1st Air Force, and the National Guard Bureau. Technical oversight and construction were provided by the Naval Warfare Information Center, Atlantic, in collaboration with 176th ADS Airmen.
The system upgrade also simplifies maintenance by giving cyber teams unobstructed access and reducing coordination time. Additionally, the freed space on the operations floor allows the BCC to split into two sections, enabling multiple battle management teams to operate simultaneously if needed.
Brig. Gen. Moar praised the 176th ADS personnel for their dedication and adaptability. “We owe you every single advantage we can possibly give you,” he said. “We put you in hard situations, we ask you to work hard every day, and we owe you the best environment we can give.”
Source: NORAD.
