Chinese hackers have compromised designs for sensitive US weapons systems, the Washington Post reported Tuesday, citing a confidential report presented to US Defence Department officials. According to dpa, the report by the Defence Science Board found electronic intrusions by the Chinese had given hackers from that country access to programmes for US missile defences, aircraft and ships and could bolster Beijing's development of its weapons systems and weaken the US strategic advantage in future, the Post said. The systems included designs for the Patriot missile system and other components of US missile defences, as well as the F/A-18 fighter jet, the V-22 Osprey aircraft, Black Hawk helicopters and a new Navy Littoral Combat Ship. Earlier this month, the United States publicly pointed the finger directly at China in a report that tied Beijing to cyberattacks against the US government. China has rejected the charges as "groundless."
