China Cyber Spies Access Top-Secret U.S. Weapon Designs
The Washington Post reported that more than two dozen major weapons-design systems have been compromised, including programs for missiles, aircrafts, ships and missile defense systems.
Such access could accelerate the development of China's weapons systems and weaken the U.S. military in future conflicts.
The Defense Science Board did not accuse the Chinese of stealing the designs, but experts say that the breaches were part of a burgeoning Chinese campaign of espionage against U.S. defense and government agencies.
SEE ALSO: Chinese Military Linked To Cyber Attacks On U.S. Websites
The designs included those for the advanced Patriot missile system, known as PAC-3; an Army system for shooting down ballistic missiles, known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD; and the Navy’s Aegis ballistic-missile defense system. As well as the F/A-18 fighter jet, the V-22 Osprey, the Black Hawk helicopter and the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship, which is designed to patrol waters close to shore.
From CBS News:
In addition to those weapons, the Chinese hackers allegedly also went after designs for the F-35 Joint Striker Fighter program, which is the most expensive weapons system ever built. It is on tack to cost about $1.4 trillion, and has been beset by a host of troubles in its development. There was an alleged 2007 hack of plans for that project.
The Obama administration has been warning China to control its cyber-activity. The Pentagon noted this month in a report to Congress that China has been investing in tools to overcome the U.S. military advantage by engaging in multiple acts of cyber-theft.
For the first time, the Pentagon specifically named the Chinese government and military as the culprit behind intrusions into government and other computer systems.
An Obama administration advisory panel warned that the Pentagon is unprepared to handle a full-scale cyber-espionage attack back in January, and the President is expected to discuss the allegations when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month in California.
However, the Chinese government insists that it has not conducted in any type of cyber-espionage against U.S. agencies or companies, and often accuse the U.S. of cyberattacks on Beijing.
Read the full story at the Washington Post.
Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage on China and cyber warfare.
WATCH: A New York Times interview on how U.S. Internet watchers started to expect China: