U.S.-Russian Early Warning System Debated.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Development of missile attack warning system - Brief Article

Cooperation between the United States and Russia in developing an early warning missile-defense system could get underway by late 2002, said Phil Jamison, deputy director of strategy, forces and operations for the office of the secretary of defense. He spoke at a recent Cato Institute conference on military and space in Washington, D.C.

The system received $5.9 million in the fiscal year 2001 National Defense Authorization Act. Called the Joint Data Exchange Center (JDEC), the early warning information and testing exchange seeks to build confidence between the two nations and reduce the risk that false missile-attack warnings could result in an inadvertent launch of nuclear missiles. Tests will be conducted by both nations...