A Telegram account holder in Russia has released what he claims are US-built F-35 and F-15 fighter jet manuals.
Knewz.com has learned that the so-called ‘Figtherbomber’ account’s disclosures have drawn the attention of Chinese elements who claimed that the documents “appear authentic”.
Reports indicate that the documents were first released on July 2 and pertained to drones and weapons systems.
FighterBomber, a self-professed Russian pilot, further claimed that he holds a total of 250 gigabytes of U.S. military data.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has since reported that the person responsible for the claims and dissemination of the classified U.S. documents goes by the name of Ivan Ivanov.
It further cited a Chinese information security expert, known only as Tang, who has since viewed the manuals and claimed that they “appear authentic”.
“The documents are detailed and their format resembles other US military information previously leaked online,” he noted.
“However, these are not strictly blueprints or design documents, and their true value can only be assessed by professionals.”
According to reports, the revelations have since triggered amusement from military enthusiasts along with jokes about being able to build fighter jets in a domestic environment.
The alleged leak also grabbed the attention of Chinese military blogger, Makayev. On his video channel, he explained that the documents belonged to three categories with the first being maintenance, flight, and aircrew weapons delivery manuals for F-15SA fighter jets—some of which were sold to Saudi Arabia.
The second comprises instructions for the maintenance of said planes while the third pertains to guided missiles.
“The most extensive document is an 800-page flight manual by Boeing, last revised in 2018, detailing various systems of the aircraft, preparation for flight, emergency operations, and operational limitations,” Makayev explained.
He went on to telegraph that the leak was likely useless to the Chinese military, saying:
“Yet, these texts are more likely simplified introductions rather than detailed descriptions of the design processes, aimed at maintenance personnel rather than offering insights that could benefit China’s mature military aviation industry,” via SCMP.
Tang speculated on the source of the documents and noted that they may have been released through incursions on U.S. military companies, or by bad actors pretending to be the latter.
He also observed that some of the information was redacted, which by extension, suggests that whatever information is visible has already been declassified.
There has thus far been no response from Joe Biden’s administration or the U.S. military bloc.