A National Security Agency program to safeguard Defense Department and Intelligence Community secrets is seven years behind schedule, reports the Baltimore Sun. According to documents obtained by the newspaper, concerns are rising that the delay is making data “increasingly vulnerable to theft.” An internal NSA report from 2005 stated that Pentagon computers are particularly at risk and are under constant attack, citing recent attempts by Chinese hackers that were able to steal data from a classified system serving the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Pentagon awarded a $2.02 billion contract for Lot 17 of F-35 engines to contractor Pratt & Whitney on June 5. Work on the F135 engine is expected to be completed by December 2025.