The US Department of Defense may increase the number of programs it is keeping classified, Defense News reported on Saturday.
Defense officials claim that the move is to prevent hackers from accessing data regarding new projects such as the Long Range Strike-Bomber. Critical analysts say that the new measure adds costs without creating real security guarantees.
"In general, the department is moving toward a posture which tries harder to protect our information," the Pentagon's acquisition chief Frank Kendall told Defense News.
"We’re trying to control costs. If you over-classify, how do you arrange to go to meetings? You suddenly impose classified facilities and expenses, and it could add costs to programs we’re trying to keep lean," former Air Force official Rebecca Grant told Defense News.
Another issue for defense manufacturers is the requirement for employees to get security clearances, an expensive and time-consuming process for even large firms.
According to Defense News, the Chinese military industry has unveiled the "JF-31, a clear copy of the F-35 joint strike fighter," and that US defense manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin have been hacked in the past.
