June 21, 2019 | International, Aerospace
By COLIN CLARK
PARIS AIR SHOW: Raytheon, which has increasingly focused on its growing cyber and network business, has won contracts to find and fix cyber vulnerabilities in the Air Force's F-15 fighter and C-130 transport fleets.
Those are the company's latest deals in what is a business worth at least hundreds of millions of dollars in the last 18 months. It's a big shift, says Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon intelligence, information and services. “I think a few years ago there was a lot of talk, and not a lot of action.”
But the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act required that all weapons begin to be assessed for cyber vulnerabilities, and the 2019 bill kept pressing ahead. The F-15 and C-130 contracts are among those that have resulted from the NDAA language, Todd Probert, Raytheon's VP for mission support, told me. Because so much of this is classified, Raytheon had to get Air Force permission to talk about the F-15 and the C-130 projects.
So what kind of cyber vulnerabilities does an aircraft have? “It's a flying network in and of itself,” Todd said.
Aircraft, it turns out, are just as vulnerable as cars, and we've all read stories how hackers have been able to take autos over remotely and stop cars in their tracks.
Airplanes have similar points of access, and thus vulnerabilities. Maintainers hook into a plane to find out what's wrong with it. Smart weapons connect to the plane's network. The pilot's helmet mounted display taps into onboard and offboard data. “All these are potential threat vectors we're concerned about,” Todd said.
https://breakingdefense.com/2019/06/raytheon-wins-air-force-f-15-c-130-cyber-contracts/
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Nato's Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force has received the fourth RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft at the Italian Air Force Base (AFB) in Sigonella. After taking off from Edwards AFB in California, US, the aircraft landed at Sigonella following a 22-hour journey. The arrival marks another step towards the completion of Nato AGS Force's fleet of five total aircraft. The third RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft was delivered less than two weeks ago. Nato AGS Force Commander Brigadier General Houston Cantwell said: “The arrival of the fourth aircraft enhances our capabilities with greater redundancy and flexibility. “The Nato AGS Force continues our advance in becoming Nato's key provider of regional ‘indications and warning' information to members of the Nato Alliance.” The AGS System was procured by the Nato AGS Management Agency (NAGSMA). Movement of the aircraft from California to Italy was controlled by industry pilots at the AGS Force's Main Operating Base in Sigonella. The first three aircraft were transported similarly. Following arrival, the remotely piloted system will be handed over to the force after the NAGSMA and the Italian Airworthiness Authorities finalise the required documentation. The Agency general manager Brigadier General Volker Samanns said: “Having now four out of five Nato AGS aircraft in SIGONELLA demonstrates the commitment and ability of the AGS procuring nations and of NAGSMA to deliver the Nato AGS system while increasing our flexibility in testing the system. “It also provides the Nato AGS Force additional equipment for familiarisation and training.” https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/nato-accepts-delivery-of-fourth-remotely-piloted-aircraft-in-italy/