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http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-31477,00.htmlCHINESE computer spies are suspected of having cracked the Pentagon's $500 billion Joint Strike Fighter program, accessing top-secret files containing details of the aircraft's stealth design and electronics.
Details of the brazen break-in were reported yesterday in The Wall Street Journal newspaper, citing current and former US government officials.
The Royal Australian Air Force has placed a tentative order for 100 of the F-35 JSFs for about $16 billion, easily making it Australia's biggest defence purchase.
Last night, Defence confirmed it was aware of the report and was seeking more information. "Defence has seen the US reports and will discuss the issues raised with the JSF Program office in due course," it said in a written response to questions from The Australian.
A Canberra-based spokesman for the JSF's maker, Lockheed Martin, said a statement was expected today from head office in the US.
The JSF program is the US Defence Department's costliest, and according to the WSJ, the spies were able to siphon off "terabytes of data related to design and electronics systems", potentially making it easier to defend against the stealth-protected aircraft.
"Former US officials say the attacks appear to have originated in China. However, it can be extremely difficult to determine the true origin because it is easy to mask identities online," the WSJ said.
Unnamed US officials are quoted as saying cyber attacks on military projects appear to have escalated in the past six months.
According to the WSJ, a Pentagon report issued last month warned that the Chinese military had made "steady progress" in developing online-warfare techniques.
China hopes its computer skills can help it compensate
for an underdeveloped military, it said.
The F-35 JSF has proved a contentious buy, with critics saying the Rudd Government should have been more forceful in trying to pursuade the US to sell the RAAF the more expensive F-22 Raptor.
Unlike the JSF, the Raptor is operational but prohibited from export.
The JSF is intended to replace the ageing fleet of F-111 strike aircraft and the frontline F/A-18 jet fighters.
While Australia can expect to retain a technology edge over its immediate neighbours in Southeast Asia, China will acquire 500-600 advanced fighter bombers over the next 30 years and is expected to surpass the US as the leading air power in East Asia
Obviously the article has a Aussie slant but nonetheless it's concerning for all the countries involved in the JSF project.
I hope we're at least on par.According to the WSJ, a Pentagon report issued last month warned that the Chinese military had made "steady progress" in developing online-warfare techniques.
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