Does anyone remember this story from April 2009?Computer Spies Breach Fighter-Jet Project
Computer spies have broken into the Pentagon's $300 billion Joint Strike Fighter project -- the Defense Department's costliest weapons program ever -- according to current and former government officials familiar with the attacks...
In the case of the fighter-jet program, the intruders were able to copy and siphon off several terabytes of data related to design and electronics systems, officials say, potentially making it easier to defend against the craft...
"There's never been anything like it," this person said, adding that other military and civilian agencies as well as private companies are affected. "It's everything that keeps this country going..."
Former U.S. officials say the attacks appear to have originated in China...
Six current and former officials familiar with the matter confirmed that the fighter program had been repeatedly broken into...
A week ago this story appears:
DoD Adviser: Foes' Advances Might Lead to F-35 Fleet Shrinkage
The Obama administration may have to rethink whether the U.S. military will need 2,500 F-35 fighter jets...
With possible American enemies, like China, developing and fielding ever-more advanced systems - such as sophisticated radar suites and surface-to-air missiles - Pentagon and administration officials must examine if the Lockheed Martin-made Lightning II will bring as much "value" to combat by the time it comes online next decade as thought decades previous when it was designed, [Andrew Krepinevich] said...
[B]ecause it might not be as useful from so-called forward air bases or aircraft carriers because of foes' advanced air defenses, the Defense Department might have to swallow hard, buy fewer F-35s and use any savings to buy other aircraft and missiles...
And today we have China's response:
China Seizes on F-35 Remarks:
[O]ne U.S. publication’s report about the possible cancellation of an American fighter jet program is being seized on by Chinese media as evidence of the Asian giant’s growing military prowess...
On Monday, the website of the People’s Daily, a mouthpiece for the Communist Party, reported the Obama administration was reconsidering its purchase of the fighter jets as a result of “astonishing progress” by militaries of China and other potential U.S. adversaries...
In case you missed it, here's the formula:
- US designs and builds a 5th-generation Joint Strike Fighter, with plans not only for the American military but for allied nations.
- China steals crucial information about JSF.
- American military officials and analysts realize the JSF might not be as effective as hoped due to the incorporation of counter-JSF technology into adversary (China) defense systems.
- China rejoices as American military officials rethink their plans for the JSF. China downs the JSF without firing a shot.
Incidentally, I am aware of financial issues with JSF, performance concerns, etc., along with DoD's $100 billion budgetary challenge. I live near the Beltway and watch This Week in Defense News religiously! However, I find my scenario plausible, and at least a possible contributing factor to plans to scale back JSF.
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