Evening star., 1954-11-19
U. 5. Assumes Job
0fBuiIding 81 Billion
Arctic Radar Net
BY the Assoeiassd Press


The United States has as
sumed the job of building the
distant early warning" line Of
radar stations along the Cana
dian-Alaskan rim of the con-
tinent.
An announcementnade stimuli
taneously today In Washington
and Ottawa said the two gov
ernments have agreed. =.
/. ITO proceed. with the con-
struction" Of the perimeter
warning net for enemy bombers,
whose cost is unofficially esti-
mated at about 81 billion.
2. That although both Cana
da and the United States will
participate in the project, re-
sponsibility for the work of con-
struction and installation should
be vested in the United States !"
To Seek More Funds.
In answer to questions, De-
Tense Department officials said
sufficient money is available in
the current budget to go ahead
with the project and that addi-
tional money will be requested
in the next budget.
Some circumstances of the
announcement were unex-
planned.
First questions about details
were directed to official Air
Force spokesmen, who said they
had not seen the announcement
until it was handed reporters
although Defense Department
officials said the Air Force was
the executive agent" of the
Government for handling the
project.
It was learned that the word
ing of the formal announcement
followed that contained in a
draft which reached Washing
ton from Ottawa.
Like Previous Statement.
The announcement was much
like one issued last September
27, outlining two existing or
building northern radar systems,
saying there was agreement on
need for a distant early warn
ing system. That announcement
said "the basis of participation
by the two countries in the con-
struction and operation OF the
line, and the division Of costs"
would be determined later.
Today's co-ordinated an
nouncements spoke only OF
planning" for the distant line.
However, in September 1858,
the Western Electric Co. an
nounced it was starting work.
under contract with the Air
Force, of the first experimental
units of a distant early warn
ing line" That announcement
said the project was started in
December, 1852, and that the
first units were being installed
on Barter Island, off the north
ern coast of Alaska.
In response to questions, an
Air Force spokesman said today
the first experimental units have
been linked to the sentimental
defense system.
Describes Project.
Today's announcement said:
-Four main elements Of a
warning and control system now
appear to be practicable, namely:
The main control and warning
radar installations in the popu-
lated part of Canada {tfe jointly
operated Pinetree network and
in the United States. which are
now in operation; a warning line
north of the settled areas OF
Canada (the MIDI Canada llne) 1,
being built by Canada; a warn
ing line across the most north
erly practicable part of North
America (the distant early warn
ing or Dew line), and portions OF
the complete warning and con-
troll system in Canada to be ex-
tended to Seward on both TANKS
of the continent by the United
States"
The announcement did not ex-
plain this latter reference. How
ever, it presumably referred to
airborne and seaborne radar.
Also, the United States is con-
structing off it's own eastern
coast a series of radar stations
mounted on towers standing IN
+La Coo Of r,oir,ts I'M tn 100 miles