China allegedly intercepted UPS-shipped F-35 parts after employee missed email warning
A UPS worker missed an important email about securely routing top-secret F-35 parts so mistakenly opted for a Hong Kong transit for faster shipping.
According to insiders speaking with Bloomberg, a shipment of F-35 advanced fighter parts intercepted by China occurred after a UPS worker failed to heed an email warning about securely routing the parts. The shipment, consisting of sensitive cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door components, was being sent from Australia to San Francisco for inspection.
The email from DSV, warning the shipment should adhere to ITAR regulations, failed to reach the correct UPS agent due to a different IT system, leading to the parts being routed through Hong Kong. Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, is on a blacklist for shipping such equipment according to the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
The Chinese government confirmed taking possession of the parts but stated it was unaware of the missing items, with no reports indicating they intend to release them. The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin downplayed the incident, but experts consider the loss a significant concern, with the Government Accountability Office viewing it as a major issue that would elicit celebration from Chinese reverse engineering teams.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
