Protect UAVs from hacking

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The U.S Navy has kicked off a project to collaborate with outside scientists on research and development that will help protect the branch’s flying munitions from hackers, according to the agency. A key aim is to ensure assets can bounce back in the event of a cyber strike.

“There is a paucity of cyber R&D and threat information for weapon systems and supporting systems that directly or indirectly ‘connect’ to weapon systems,” Naval Air Systems Command contracting documents state. Such tools include infection-prone devices such as laptops.

The effort runs parallel to Navy’s five-year cybersecurity strategic plan issued earlier this month by Navy Fleet Cyber Command, the branch’s central cybersecurity division.

The project will start with scientific research and end with a deployment of operational technology in real-world mission conditions.

According to Defense One , a few years ago, the branch’s widely used Navy Marine Corps Intranet fell victim to hackers, who were reportedly linked to Iran. That attack spurred the launch of a series of cyber defense game plans, including the new Task Force Cyber Awakening, a year-long effort to shore up computer hardware and software. The Fleet Cyber Command, Naval Air Systems effort and the task force are moving forward in coordination, Holstead said.

The Navy, more so than other military components, depends on extremely complex ships and aircraft that must be physically and digitally joined to weapons systems.