Investigative reporter James LaPorta led reporting on the latest story in AP’s ongoing investigation of missing military weapons, revealing a weapon-tracking technology that the U.S. Department of Defense itself describes as a “significant” security risk.
After showing that the military has lost track of at least 1,900 guns, AP trained its sight on how technology might help in weapons accountability. They found that one solution — putting radio frequency identification tracking tags inside guns — has introduced a security vulnerability into Army and Air Force units because it could help even relatively low-tech enemies target U.S. troops on the battlefield. The Pentagon originally appeared unaware that some units were using RFID, then said it allows service branches to explore innovative solutions. The Navy says it is halting its own program of RFID for weapons; the Marines have rejected the technology.
To demonstrate the highly technical story in understandable ways, LaPorta and editor Justin Pritchard arranged field testing that showed the tags could be tracked from much greater distances than RFID contractors acknowledge.
Hackers Kristin Paget, right, and Marc Rogers adjust an antenna while testing radio frequency identification signal range in Hickman, Calif., June 6, 2021. Paget first warned publicly about the vulnerabilities of RFID in 2010.
AP Photo / Noah Berger
Components used to test radio frequency identification signal range are displayed in Hickman, Calif., June 6, 2021. The green board is an RFID reader. Hacker Kristin Paget says it doesn’t take a Chinese or Russian cyber army to take advantage of vulnerabilities created by putting RFID tags in military guns — a tinkerer with YouTube access could acquire the skills.
AP Photo / Noah Berger
During an RFID signal range test, firearms instructor Michael Palombo, bottom, holds a rifle with an RFID tag inside it about 210 feet (64 meters) from antennas, top, in Hickman, Calif., June 6, 2021. Because the test was conducted under Federal Communications Commission regulations limiting the power of radio signals, the antennas lost the tag at a distance that is nowhere near the maximum possible, according to hacker Kristin Paget
AP Photo / Noah Berger
Firearms instructor Michael Palombo holds a Springfield Armory M25 rifle and a tape measure during field tests of RFID signal range in Hickman, Calif., June 6, 2021. Palombo inserted an RFID tag into the rifle for the test.
AP Photo / Noah Berger
Photographer Noah Berger and video journalist Terence Chea illustrated the testing. Producers Serginho Roosblad and Peter Hamlin turned that material into a sharp explainer video with the help of editors Jeannie Ohm and Raghu Vadarevu. Storytelling producer Nat Castañeda curated the AWOL Weapons hub and worked with Patrick Sison for the photo edit. Kristin Hall in Nashville contributed important reporting.