Companies sent technical drawings from US customers to manufacturers in China to 3-D defense products without permission.
The US Commerce Department will continue to deny export privileges to three US companies, the government said, adding that the companies had exported satellite, rocket and defense technology to China.
The expansion came after new concerns about Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc, Rapid Cut LLC and US Prototype Inc, which the Commerce Department said on June 7 sent technical drawings and plans from US customers to manufacturers in China to 3-D print satellites, rockets and safety-related prototypes without permission.
The companies, which share the same Wilmington, North Carolina address, could not be reached for comment.
Since June, the Commerce Department has found additional US companies working with these companies, including illegally exporting firearms and other high-tech equipment to China.
Such exports are seen as a threat to US national security. The new law denies foreign companies access for another 180 days, and also informs other companies to avoid doing business with them.
The department did not identify the companies that contracted with the North Carolina companies. But, according to the department’s order in June, the US aerospace and defense technology company informed the department in February 2020 about the illegal release of satellite technology operated by a third party.
The department’s investigation revealed that Quicksilver received an order in July 2017 for satellite components for the space company’s space satellite. To create the components, Quicksilver sent technical drawings and plans to China for 3-D printing.
Quicksilver was also implicated in the breach at a third US company, a top science and engineering firm with contracts with the Department of Defense, the department said.
In the December order, the Commerce Department said a Chinese person who used the email address @rapidcut.com may have violated the June order by providing customers with information on how to complete and meet their expectations.
The December order, which was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, said the Commerce Department was told the man was employed by a Chinese manufacturer that was paying Rapid Cut fees for products.
