Chinese-manufactured lidar sensors pose potential risks of hacking and sabotage to the U.S. military during conflicts, as highlighted in a report from a Washington think tank released on Monday. The report advocates for prohibiting the integration of these sensors into American defense systems.

Lidar sensors utilize lasers to create a digital three-dimensional representation of their surroundings. While they are primarily used in automotive driver-assistance technologies, they also play a vital role in critical infrastructure, such as ports, where they facilitate the automation of cranes.

The U.S. military is exploring the application of this technology in autonomous military vehicles. However, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warns that these lidar sensors, often connected to the internet, employ sophisticated processors that could harbor hidden malicious code or firmware backdoors, making them challenging to identify.

These “hardware trojans” could be manipulated by the Chinese government, which, under national law, can compel companies to adhere to state security mandates. Additionally, satellite-based laser systems could potentially disable these sensors almost instantaneously across extensive areas of U.S. territory, according to the foundation.

“Although Chinese lidar sensors may offer cost advantages, the long-term risks associated with sabotage and surveillance significantly outweigh any initial savings,” stated Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the foundation and one of the report’s authors, in an interview with Reuters.

The foundation has urged U.S. lawmakers to prohibit the acquisition of Chinese lidar for defense applications and recommended that state governments restrict its use in critical infrastructure. Furthermore, it suggested that U.S. policymakers collaborate with allied nations, including Germany, Canada, South Korea, Israel, and Japan, to establish an alternative lidar supply chain independent of China.

Numerous leading lidar manufacturers, including Valeo, Luminar Technologies, and Aeva Technologies, are located in Europe and the United States. However, China has emerged as a significant contender in the sector, with companies like Hesai Group making notable advancements.

In October, the U.S. Department of Defense indicated its intention to re-add Hesai to a list of companies it claims are associated with the Chinese military.