Three US companies sanctioned for sending defence blueprints to China
- The firms are accused of sending files for satellites, rocket technology and other prototypes to China for 3D printing so they could save on costs
- The order does not allege that the blueprints were exploited by the Chinese military, but does say the actions present ‘serious national security concerns’
The Biden administration on Wednesday accused three US companies of sending to China blueprints and technical drawings for satellite and rocket technology and other defence prototypes.
The Commerce Department levelled the allegations as it blocked the three companies from exporting items to foreign countries for 180 days.
That punishment, known as a temporary denial order, is regarded as among the most severe civil sanctions available to the department.
The companies – Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc., Rapid Cut LLC, and US Prototype Inc. – provide 3D printing services to customers that include manufacturers of space and defence technology.
These companies may have saved a few bucks – but they did so at the collective expense of protecting US military technology
The Commerce Department says the customers would send blueprints and drawings to the companies that they wanted printed – and that the companies in turn would send that work to China, presumably as a way to cut costs.
