Haney shrugs at Russian request for advanced sensors

While members of Congress fretted over whether Russia's request for more advanced nuclear weapons-monitoring sensors would pose a risk to U.S. security, Adm. Cecil Haney, head of U.S. Strategic Command, remained unflappable.

Russia has requested the use of new electro-optical sensors on their surveillance planes for flights over the United States as part of the Open Skies Treaty. The treaty, signed in 1992 by the U.S., Russia and 32 other nations after the Cold War, seeks to increase transparency and avoid armed escalation through sanctioned surveillance flyovers.

The electro-optical sensor transitions from a wet-film to digital processing and is the same type of sensor the U.S. military is installing on many of its aircraft.

During a Feb. 24 House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) asked Haney if Russia's request for the new sensor caused concern.

"As we look at how technology has developed, it's not surprising to me there would be a desire to use more advanced capabilities to conduct that Open Skies Treaty," Haney said. "While I'm concerned in terms of overflights, any ability of another to learn our critical infrastructure, I do have respect for said treaty, in which it allows for transparency and the ability of sharing that information."

Haney added that he would be part of the process to assess whether Russia will receive the additional sensor capability.