Chinese government hackers stole a large amount of sensitive data from a US Navy contractor, including plans to develop a new type of submarine-launched anti-ship missile, the Washington Post reported on Friday.
The hackers targeted a contractor who works for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, a military entity based in Newport, Rhode Island, the unnamed officials said without identifying the contractor, according to the Post.
The hacked data comprised 614 gigabytes containing information about a 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 newspaper reported.
The hacking occurred in January and February, the officials told the Post, speaking on condition of anonymity about an ongoing investigation that is being led by the Navy with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"Per federal regulations, there are measures in place that require companies to notify the government when a 'cyber incident' has occurred that has actual or potential adverse beffects on their networks that contain controlled unclassified information. It would be inappropriate to discuss further details at this time," the US Navy said in response to questions from Reuters.
The Post said it had agreed to withhold some details about the missile project after the Navy said their release could potentially harm national security.
The revelation of the hack comes as tensions between Beijing and Washington continue to rise over a range of issues including trade and military matters.
Last month the Pentagon withdrew China's invitation to join maritime exercises in the Pacific because of Beijing's "continued militarization" of the South China Sea.
Source: Deutsche Welle