Saab's surveillance jet deal with Canada faces a U.S. stealth tech hurdle

https://i.cbc.ca/ais/e6dbca34-7c81-430e-b119-677dc47500f3,1781128932649/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C477%2C6720%2C3780%29%3BResize%3D%28620%29" title="FILE PHOTO: A GlobalEye aircraft, manufactured by Saab Technologies, on static display during the fifth day of Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 21, 2019.

Picture taken November 21, 2019.

REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo" width="620" />

Ottawa's choice of Saab's GlobalEye surveillance jet has potentially opened a new battle in Washington.

Experts say fully integrating the aircraft into NORAD would require access to sensitive U.S. stealth communications technology that has never been released to foreign manufacturers, creating operational, political and technical challenges.