Report: China Hacked Sensitive US Navy Data on Submarine Warfare
The Washington Post reports that Hackers linked to the Chinese government stole 614 gigabytes of highly sensitive data from a US Navy contractor, including plans related to a supersonic anti-ship missile and other details about underwater warfare
Dan Arkin
| 11/06/2018
Photo: AP
Chinese government hackers have compromised the computers of a US Navy contractor, stealing a trove of highly sensitive data related to undersea warfare – including secret plans to develop a supersonic anti-ship missile for use on US submarines, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing unnamed US officials.
The breaches occurred in January and February, the officials told the Post, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The hackers targeted a contractor who works for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, a military organization that conducts research and development for submarines and underwater weaponry. The officials did not identify the contractor.
The hackers stole 614 gigabytes of material relating to a secret project known as Sea Dragon, as well as signals and sensor data, submarine radio room information relating to cryptographic systems, and the Navy submarine development unit’s electronic warfare library.
The Washington Post agreed to withhold certain details about the compromised missile project at the request of the Navy, which argued that their release could harm national security.
The Sea Dragon project is an initiative to adapt existing US military technologies to new applications. The Pentagon has requested or used more than $300 million for the project since late 2015 and has said it plans to start underwater testing by September.
While the stolen data was housed on the contractor’s unclassified network, the officials said the material, when aggregated, could be considered classified.
According to the Post, the breach is part of China’s long-running effort to blunt the US advantage in military technology and become the preeminent power in East Asia.
In February, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats testified that most of the detected Chinese cyber operations against US industry focus on defense contractors or tech firms supporting government networks.
Over the years, the Chinese have obtained designs for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter; the advanced Patriot PAC-3 missile system; the Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD); and the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship, a small surface vessel designed for near-shore operations, according to previous reports prepared for the Pentagon.
The Navy is leading the investigation into the breach with the assistance of the FBI.
The Washington Post reports that Hackers linked to the Chinese government stole 614 gigabytes of highly sensitive data from a US Navy contractor, including plans related to a supersonic anti-ship missile and other details about underwater warfare
Photo: AP
Chinese government hackers have compromised the computers of a US Navy contractor, stealing a trove of highly sensitive data related to undersea warfare – including secret plans to develop a supersonic anti-ship missile for use on US submarines, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing unnamed US officials.
The breaches occurred in January and February, the officials told the Post, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The hackers targeted a contractor who works for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, a military organization that conducts research and development for submarines and underwater weaponry. The officials did not identify the contractor.
The hackers stole 614 gigabytes of material relating to a secret project known as Sea Dragon, as well as signals and sensor data, submarine radio room information relating to cryptographic systems, and the Navy submarine development unit’s electronic warfare library.
The Washington Post agreed to withhold certain details about the compromised missile project at the request of the Navy, which argued that their release could harm national security.
The Sea Dragon project is an initiative to adapt existing US military technologies to new applications. The Pentagon has requested or used more than $300 million for the project since late 2015 and has said it plans to start underwater testing by September.
While the stolen data was housed on the contractor’s unclassified network, the officials said the material, when aggregated, could be considered classified.
According to the Post, the breach is part of China’s long-running effort to blunt the US advantage in military technology and become the preeminent power in East Asia.
In February, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats testified that most of the detected Chinese cyber operations against US industry focus on defense contractors or tech firms supporting government networks.
Over the years, the Chinese have obtained designs for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter; the advanced Patriot PAC-3 missile system; the Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD); and the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship, a small surface vessel designed for near-shore operations, according to previous reports prepared for the Pentagon.
The Navy is leading the investigation into the breach with the assistance of the FBI.
