After months without news on the subject, the case of chinese spy balloon shot down by the United States has returned to the forefront. On this occasion, it has come to light that much of the equipment that was being used to gather intelligence on North American territory was of American origin.
As reported The Wall Street Journalpreliminary findings have determined that, curiously, China was using US technology for its espionage work about that same country. Although the details are scarce because the investigation is still ongoing, experts have slipped that the equipment was a mix between consumer and specialized devices.
Researchers have indicated that some of the equipment included in the Chinese spy balloon can be easily purchased online. However, in certain cases they had been modified to use special sensors developed by the Asian giant to capture photos and videos.
But the vehicle’s instrumentation was not limited to obtaining audiovisual material, since it could also capture radar data. To move and maneuver, the Chinese spy balloon took advantage of a propeller. Whereas, depending on weather conditions, it could float for long periods of time over specific sites.
Another interesting point of the report is that The United States would have already traced the acquisition of some of the equipment used in the spy balloon. And he would also have established the links between the buyers and the Chinese government. It is still unknown if the use of US technology to spy on North America is a simple “coincidence”, a dare, or something more.
Preliminary findings on the Chinese spy balloon
Let’s not forget that, from the beginning, China denied that its use was linked to intelligence work. From the Asian giant they affirmed that, in reality, it was a weather balloon that had been blown off course by the winds. The White House denied that possibility, assuring before its demolition that it was a surveillance device. Weeks after the incident, Joe Biden announced that all companies that had lent their technology to the Chinese spy balloon would be blacklisted by the United States.
It is worth noting that the spy balloon was not only equipped to capture photos, videos and other information, but also to transmit them to Chinese territory. However, during her several days flying over Canada and the United States, she failed to send any information. The Wall Street Journal mentions that the authorities have avoided commenting on whether this was due to some intervention by US intelligence agencies, or if it was due to the incorrect operation of some device.
The case of the Chinese spy balloon has left several curiosities. First, the paranoia that generated the appearance of the device floating over North America, especially about the states where the US has launch silos for its Minuteman III ICBMs. Second, the escalation of the already existing tension with China.
In addition, the demolition of the device had the particularity of being the first air-to-air death of the mythical fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighter. It is also worth mentioning that, after the initial event, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) shot down another 3 unidentified objects flying over Canada and the United Statesalthough ultimately they would not have had links with the Chinese spy balloon.