UPS shipped airport components of an F-35 stealth fighter to Hong Kong, and China now has possession of the items, according to a new report.
Politico detailed that a cockpit canopy and a weapons bay door were supposed to go from the U.S. to Australia in May, but the shipment was diverted to Hong Kong instead.
The pieces were coated with radar-absorbing material as part of the F-35's stealth capabilities. The U.S. officials are concerned that the items could be reverse engineered, potentially compromising stealth technology that has been an essential part of U.S. military power for decades.
The Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program Office said in a statement that it was "aware of a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components."
The material was being shipped for inspection and possible disposal or repair.
"We've been made aware of this, and we're obviously working with the United States and Lockheed in terms of how we can assist in this investigation," Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said.
The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II is considered the most advanced fighter jet in the world.
"As the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft for America and its allies, it acts as the quarterback of the skies—integrating air, land, sea, space, and cyber operations to lead the fight and deliver a decisive advantage," Lockheed Martin states on its website.
"More than a fighter jet, the F-35 is a force multiplier. Its unmatched ability to gather, process, and share data empowers joint forces, strengthens global partnerships, and keeps pilots ahead of emerging threats—all while helping them return home safely," the company stated.
Why and how the airport components were redirected is not known and remains under investigation.
"We are actively working with US authorities and industry partners to retrieve these components, investigate the incident, and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence," the Defense Department spokesperson told CNN.
