China syndromeChinese government hackers steal designs of advanced U.S. weapons systems
The Chinese government has been conducting a broad, sustained, and disciplined campaign of cyberattacks against U.S. government agencies, critical infrastructure, private companies, and news organizations. The public version of a study prepared for the Pentagon by the Defense Science Board now says that Chinese government hackers have also been able to penetrate the computer networks of all the major U.S. defense contractors, stealing the designs and specifications of the most advanced weapon system in the U.S. arsenal, and gaining insights into broad technologies on which U.S. military advances are based.
The Chinese government has been conducting a broad, sustained, and disciplined campaign of cyberattacks against U.S. government agencies, critical infrastructure, private companies, and news organizations.
The public version of a study prepared for the Pentagon by an expert advisory panel now says that Chinese government hackers have also been able to penetrate the computer networks of all the major defense contractors, stealing the designs and specifications of the most advanced weapon system in the U.S. arsenal.
The Washington Post reports that the study, prepared by the Defense Science Board for the Department of Defense and the defense industry, says that the weapon systems whose designs have been stolen by the cyber espionage arm of China’s military include advanced Patriot missile systems (PAC-3),the Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), the Navy’s Aegis ballistic missile defense systems,the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship, the F/A-18 fighter jet, the V-22 Osprey, the Black Hawk helicopter, and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The Chinese government hackers stole the designs of many other advanced weapon systems, but a Pentagon spokesman would not reveal the full list of weapons highlighted in the science board’s report. In an e-mail to the Post he said:
“The Department of Defense has growing concerns about the global threat to economic and national security from persistent cyber-intrusions aimed at the theft of intellectual property, trade secrets and commercial data, which threatens the competitive edge of U.S. businesses like those in the Defense Industrial Base.”
The Defense Science Board report also listed broad technologies that have been compromised by Chinese hacking, including drone video systems, nanotechnology, tactical data links, and electronic warfare systems.
Mark Stokes, executive director of the Project 2049 Institute, said that the number of weapon system designs stolen is unbelievable.
“That’s staggering,” Stokes told the Post. “These are all very critical weapons systems, critical to our national security. When I hear this in totality, it’s breathtaking.”
Experts note that the weapon designs stolen by the Chinese military hackers form the backbone of the Pentagon’s regional missile defense for Asia, Europe, and the Persian Gulf.
Analysts say that China’s persistent campaign of cyberattacks on U.S. military contractors will have serious consequences. Access to advanced U.S. weapon designs will give China an operational advantage in the event of a conflict.
Also, just as China is hastening its ascent to a position of global economic hegemony by annually stealing about $400 billion worth of
