Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet
The Defense Department is working with Lockheed Martin and U.S. authorities to retrieve the components and prevent a repeat, officials said.
- The Pentagon announced an investigation on Wednesday into how F-35 components were diverted to Hong Kong, with the F-35 Joint Program Office coordinating with U.S. authorities and industry partners to retrieve the parts.
- Bloomberg reported Wednesday that a cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door were unexpectedly diverted to Hong Kong while en route from Australia to the United States for repair or disposal months ago.
- Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles acknowledged on Tuesday that the components ended up in Hong Kong, stating there is a "sense of comfort" and that Australia is working with the United States and Lockheed Martin on the matter.
- The diversion prompted a congressional inquiry over concerns that China could access key components of the highly classified technology, as lawmakers intensify pressure on the Defense Department to review export-control protocols.
- A 2013 Defense Science Board report alleged Chinese cyberattacks accessed data from dozens of Pentagon programs, including the joint strike fighter, establishing a pattern of adversarial efforts to acquire advanced stealth technology.
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Pentagon investigating how parts of F-35 stealth fighter jet arrived in Hong Kong instead of U.S.
The Defense Department is investigating how a shipment of parts for its most advanced fighter jet reportedly ended up in Chinese custody after being mistakenly delivered to Hong Kong.
The big F-35 jet mystery: Parts bound for US, missing in Hong Kong, seized by China
Sensitive parts of a US F-35 stealth fighter jet, bound for Washington from Australia, mysteriously landed in Hong Kong. The parts have now been seized by China - a major US military rival. Why is it a concern for the US?
Potentially sensitive F-35 fighter jet components have reached the Chinese regime after a shipment en route from Australia to the US was diverted to Hong Kong. Congress has launched an investigation into the circumstances, due to concerns that the classified technology could fall into the hands of the Chinese.
HONG KONG. Donald Trump poses with pomp and swagger as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for summit in Washington. But the meeting is also overshadowed by a major embarrassment -- parts for an F-35 plane have accidentally ended up in China's hands, and Beijing refuses to send them back.
Missing F-35 fighter jet parts mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong
By Alex Stambaugh, Hilary Whiteman, Ivan Watson, Brad Lendon, CNN (CNN) — Australia’s defense minister said Tuesday that F-35 fighter jet parts had been mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong, following reports US lawmakers were investigating the mishap amid concerns about the possibility of China getting access to sensitive US military technology. “We’ve been made aware of this, and we’re obviously working with the United States and Lockheed in terms…
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