The US State Department concluded a $200 million settlement with defense contractor RTX over charges related to mishandling military secrets, including sensitive data about the advanced F-22 and F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets and the B-2 Spirit bomber.
These breaches occurred as RTX employees traveled to China, Russia, Iran, and other nations, raising concerns about the protection of classified information.
The settlement results from RTX’s voluntary disclosure of 750 violations of the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which occurred over six years, from August 2017 to September 2023.
According to the State Department’s statement, the violations involved unauthorized exports of defense articles due to improper jurisdiction and classification, unauthorized exports of classified defense articles, and the unauthorized transport of defense articles by employees to proscribed destinations.
“RTX disclosed all of the alleged violations voluntarily,” the State Department emphasized in its announcement, released on August 30. “RTX also cooperated with the Department’s review of this matter and has implemented numerous improvements to its compliance program since the conduct at issue.”
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www.eurasiantimes.com/f-22-f-35-b-2-bombers-sensitive-data-leaked/