[ad_1]
The Pentagon stated the newest high altitude balloon detected over the United States is a “likely hobby” craft, a few year after a Chinese spy balloon traversed the continental U.S., sparking controversy.
“After yesterday’s fighter intercepts, and in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the North American Aerospace Defense Command monitored the likely hobby balloon via ground radars until it left US airspace overnight,” the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) stated Saturday in an announcement, reported by ABC News and different retailers. No additional info was instantly accessible.
NORAD first introduced the high altitude balloon on Friday, noting that it was noticed at between roughly 43,000 and 45,000 toes.
“The balloon was intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah, who determined it was not maneuverable and did not present a threat to national security. NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon,” NORAD stated. “The FAA also determined the balloon posed no hazard to flight safety. NORAD remains in close coordination with the FAA to ensure flight safety.”
MILITARY TRACKS HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON OVER WESTERN US
In this picture supplied by the Department of Defense, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, a U.S. Air Force U-2 pilot appears down at a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon because it hovers over the United States on Feb. 3, 2023. (Department of Defense through AP, File)
There has been heightened curiosity in experiences of balloon overflights after the navy recognized — and finally shot down — a big, white Chinese spy craft that crossed a lot of the nation final year. But officers stated the balloon intercepted Friday was not despatched by a international adversary and posed no risk to aviation or U.S. safety, in keeping with the Associated Press.
In this picture launched by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance plane, prime, is intercepted close to the Alaska shoreline, Monday, March 9, 2020. (North American Aerospace Defense Command through AP, File)
The Chinese spy craft flew from Alaska to the East Coast, the place it was shot down by the navy over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4, 2023. The Pentagon stated in June that whereas the Chinese balloon had “intelligence collection capabilities,” it didn’t acquire and transmit knowledge earlier than it was shot down.
The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, Feb. 4, 2023. (Randall Hill/Reuters)
Intelligence businesses have concluded that the Chinese craft was used for spying, not weather-related points as China had claimed.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It is unclear why the spy mission appeared to fail, however officers stated intelligence businesses used countermeasures to forestall knowledge assortment.
Fox News’ Bradford Betz, Liz Friden and Brie Stimson, in addition to the Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink