Operation Skyshield

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Operation Skyshield was a series of drills and tests conducted in the United States to test NORAD defences against Soviet attack.

All US civil air traffic was grounded during the tests (sometimes up to 12 hours) which involved 6000 sorties flown by air forces from the US, UK and Canada simulating Soviet fighter / bomber attack against New York, Chicago and Washington.

The tests were intended to ensure that any attacks over the Canadian border or coastlines would be detected and subsequently stopped. The tests were a useful insight into US defence systems. Weaknesses were exposed in an "attack" by RAF V Bombers. The British bombers managed to reach their targets and return home unscaved largely due to the advanced Electronic Counter Measures systems on these bombers and their unique manoeverabilty (for strategic bombers) allowed them to fly tree top missions in ways more accustomed to a fighter-bomber.