American fighter planes intercepted an unidentified balloon in Western US Sky over Utah on Friday, but according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, it poses no threat to national security.
This occurrence echoes a highly controversial incident from about a year ago when the Pentagon tracked a large Chinese spy balloon traversing the entire continental United States.
The balloon, which is traveling eastward with the jetstream at around 43,000 feet, or roughly 8 miles, is “not maneuverable” and poses “no hazard to flight safety,” the command said in a statement. It is not clear who owns the balloon.
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The Chinese balloon was eventually shot down by an F-22 fighter over the Atlantic Ocean, sparking anger from Congress due to the prolonged surveillance period prior to action being taken, allowing the balloon to approach military installations closely.
Chinese officials refuted claims of surveillance, asserting that the balloon’s purpose was to gather weather data and attributing its deviation from course to unpredictable winds.
In response to the earlier incident, U.S. fighter jets have been more prompt in responding to similar situations, resulting in the downing of three smaller airborne objects over Canada, Lake Huron, and Alaska.
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The interception of the balloon in Utah reignited concerns over airspace security and foreign surveillance activities, prompting a review of defense protocols and responses.
While the recent balloon was determined to be non-threatening, the incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by defense agencies in monitoring and safeguarding national airspace.
