Computer spies have repeatedly breached the Pentagon's costliest
weapons program, the US$300 billion Joint Strike Fighter project,
The Wall Street Journal reported.
The newspaper quoted current and former government officials
familiar with the matter as saying the intruders were able to copy
and siphon data related to design and electronics systems, making
it potentially easier to defend against the plane.
The spies could not access the most sensitive material, which is
kept on computers that are not connected to the internet, the paper
added.
Citing people briefed on the matter, it said the intruders entered
through vulnerabilities in the networks of two or three of the
contractors involved in building the fighter jet.
Lockheed Martin Corp is the lead contractor. Northrop Grumman Corp
and BAE Systems PLC also have major roles in the project. Lockheed
Martin and BAE declined comment and Northrop referred questions to
Lockheed, the paper said.
The Journal said Pentagon officials declined to comment directly on
the matter, but the paper said the Air Force had begun an
investigation.
The identity of the attackers and the amount of damage to the
project could not be established, the paper said.
The Journal quoted former US officials as saying the attacks seemed
to have originated in China, although it noted it was difficult to
determine the origin because of the ease of hiding identities
online.
The Chinese Embassy said China opposes and forbids all forms of
cyber crimes, the Journal said.
The officials added there had also been breaches of the US Air
Force's air traffic control system in recent months.
Cyber spies hack into US fighter project
Published: 5:59PM Tuesday April 21, 2009 Source: Reuters
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