NSA Claims 50 TB F-35 “Secrets” Stolen by Chinese: Snowden Documents

Chinese J-31 stealth fighter Lands. The J-31 “31001” technology demonstrator flies past in a public demonstration at the Zhuhai 2014 Airshow. In addition to generating export interest, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is looking to get J-31 business from the PLAAF. (Photo by popsci.com)

Chinese hackers stole 50 terabytes of US classified data related to technical details of the F-35 aircraft, classified documents released by US whistle-blower, Edward Snowden have revealed.

The claim was promptly denied by the China. “The so-called evidence that has been used to launch groundless accusations against China is completely unjustified”, foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing today.

“According to the materials presented by the relevant person (read Snowden), some countries (read USA) themselves have disgraceful records on cyber security (referring to spying on US allies, earlier exposed by Snowden)”, the spokesman added.

US officials have long claimed that the Chinese J-31 stealth fighter which made its first public flight on November 11 last year at the Zhuhai Air Show, was based on blueprints and other data stolen from US companies.

The Wall Street Journal noted in a November 12 article, “the J-31 is the most visible fruit of Chinese cyber espionage. Cyber spies from the People’s Liberation Army stole F-35 data by hacking into the systems of defense contractor Lockheed Martin and at least six subcontractors”.