Hacking the software (SW) of the fifth-generation F-35 fighters produced by the American defense contractor Lockheed Martin is possible, but it may provoke lawsuits from the U.S.
This is reported by the American publication TWZ. The portal commented on a recent statement by the Dutch Secretary of State for Defense, Heis Tienman, who acknowledged that the F-35 could be hacked like an iPhone smartphone. The publication noted that currently, Israel is the only country in the world capable of installing its own software on the F-35.
"Overall, any hacking of the F-35 systems will entail serious risks of lawsuits from Lockheed Martin and additional friction with the U.S. government. What would need to happen for a country like the Netherlands to take such a step is likely just one symptom of a much more serious deterioration in relations with Washington," the publication states.
It is noted that hacking the software of the American-made aircraft "could easily lead to the cessation of spare parts supplies and other support, if this has not already occurred, which would quickly render the hacked aircraft inoperable." "It should be noted that hacking the software will not mitigate the consequences of being cut off from critical maintenance channels," TWZ emphasizes.
Earlier, the U.S. Air Force denied reports of receiving a batch of fifth-generation F-35 fighters without radar systems — the aircraft are receiving old AN/APG-81 instead of new AN/APG-85.
