History’s Most Software-Dependent Warplane Hasn’t Been Properly Cyber-Tested
Australian expert worried about lax F-35 trials
by DAVID AXE
Prominent members of the Australian military establishment are worried — to say the least — about their country’s plan to acquire 72 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from the United States. That’s the subject of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s latest Background Briefing program:
The man who until a year ago was in charge of test and evaluation for the whole of the Australian Defense Force says the worst part about the JSF is its software.
Dr. Keith Joiner, who spoke exclusively to Background Briefing about his concerns, says the JSF is a completely software-driven aircraft, but is yet to be properly tested.
“[The aircraft] hasn’t done any cybersecurity testing yet,” he says. “The only system that has done cybersecurity vulnerability and penetration testing is the logistics software, so ordering spares.
“And it didn’t go very well. The most software-driven aircraft ever built hasn’t yet been tested against cyber security and the modern cyber warfare threats.”
