For the development of Patriot missile systems and Blackhawk helicopters, pirated software was used

A Kentucky scientist who worked on government orders was sentenced on Monday to 1 year and 1 day in prison for participating in a criminal software acquisition scheme, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

What is most remarkable about this story is that the company where Wronald Best worked, the name of the convict, used this software to develop various parts of the Patriot missile systems as well as the cathodes of weather radars installed in Black Hawk military helicopters.
"We have no reason to believe that the pirated software used could have any negative impact on the product," said Assistant Attorney General Edward McAndrew.
According to the prosecutor's office, Best bought pirated software for more than $ 600,000 from a certain Chinese citizen Xiang Li (he faces 25 years in prison, the sentence will be passed in May). He also paid $ 6,000 to various Chinese and Russian sources for breaking into protection systems for more than 60 types of industrial applications, the total cost of which is estimated at $ 2.3 million.

The defense of Best argues that he suffers from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder , which was the cause of his actions. “I have ... an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the search for solutions to problems. I was forced to do it. This is the most honest explanation I can give, ”said Best at the trial.