War Thunder Bradley Leak: In yet another security breach, sensitive military documents related to the M2A2 Bradley fighting vehicle have surfaced on War Thunder forums. This incident marks the 14th time that such leaks have occurred within the gaming community. The leak, which took place on December 12 in the “Machinery of War” discussion section, included non-classified but intricately detailed information that the Army considers sensitive.
War Thunder Bradley Leak: M2a2 Bradley Leak:
The leaked documents, originating from the technical manual TM 9-2350-439-23P-2 for the M2A2 Bradley Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV), provided detailed insights into the commander’s hatch, turret assembly, and spall liner assembly – down to the smallest components such as bolts, washers, and nuts. While not classified, the information is categorized as export-controlled data, accessible only to the Department of Defense and its contractors.
War Thunder Forums Leaked:
This recent incident is not the first of its kind. Gamers who engage in War Thunder are known for their pursuit of hyper-realism, often settling debates on military equipment by citing information from technical manuals. The leak of the Bradley documents represents a recurring issue, with previous leaks including classified information on the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter and the F-117 Nighthawk.
Gaijin Entertainment’s Response
Anton Yudintsev, the founder of Gaijin Entertainment, the company behind War Thunder, addressed the situation, stating that the leaked documents were initially spotted on platforms like Reddit and Discord before making their way to War Thunder forums. Yudintsev emphasized that, despite their efforts to contain the leak by removing the post, they are unable to control the spread on other platforms.
War Thunder Classified Leak:
Export-controlled data, as seen in the Bradley technical manual documents, pertains to information that, if exposed, could compromise U.S. national security. The concern lies in the potential for adversaries to utilize the details to replicate U.S. military equipment, posing a threat to national interests.
War Thunder Document Leak:
While the post containing the leaked documents was promptly removed from War Thunder forums, there is a possibility that copies still exist on other websites. Task & Purpose reached out to the Pentagon for comment, and an update is pending. Army spokesperson Jason Waggoner acknowledged the situation, stating that the Army is aware and will provide additional information as it becomes available.