Who Needs High Tech?

In demonstrating that a single piece of machinery worth several thousand dollars can successfully penetrate a defense system costing billions of dollars ((WORLD, June 15)), young Mathias Rust of West Germany has opened a new chapter in military history. The tragedy of the U.S.S. Stark and Rust's daring flight prove that our high-tech weapons systems cannot be relied on. Why buy Star Wars when all it takes is a simple Cessna?

Blake P. Allison

Cambridge, Mass.

Instead of gloating over this West German's success in penetrating the Soviet air-defense system, maybe the American public should ask itself if the same stunt could be performed in the U.S.

Jon Claud

Wheaton, Ill.