Balloon with Solar Panels... Chinese Reconnaissance Balloon Captured by US Reconnaissance Aircraft

U.S. Department of Defense Photo Released

The U.S. Department of Defense has released photos showing a Chinese reconnaissance balloon flying over U.S. airspace.

On the 22nd (local time), the U.S. Department of Defense disclosed photos taken by a pilot aboard a U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft on the 3rd. The photos, taken over U.S. airspace, show a white, round balloon with several solar panels and other equipment attached beneath it. CNN reported that the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft typically flies at an altitude of 70,000 feet (21.3 km), and at the time of the photo, the reconnaissance balloon was at an altitude of 60,000 feet (18.2 km).

Earlier, based on images captured by the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, the U.S. stated that the balloon's payload clearly included antennas that appeared to be for intelligence reconnaissance, as well as solar panels generating power necessary to operate multiple active intelligence-gathering sensors.

Based on this analysis, the U.S. concluded that the balloon was not a civilian weather observation balloon as claimed by China, but rather a reconnaissance balloon.

Meanwhile, on the 4th, the U.S. deployed F-22 stealth fighters and other assets to shoot down the Chinese reconnaissance balloon over the coastal airspace of South Carolina. This occurred about a week after the U.S. government became aware on the 28th of the previous month that a reconnaissance balloon had entered Alaskan airspace.

However, China expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. action. On the 5th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on its website, "We strongly express our dissatisfaction and protest against the U.S. use of force to attack a civilian unmanned balloon." It added, "China has repeatedly informed the U.S. after verification that this balloon was civilian, entered U.S. airspace unintentionally, and was a completely unexpected situation."

It further emphasized, "The U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson also stated that this balloon would not pose a military or personal threat to personnel on the ground," and "In this context, the U.S. overreacted by using force, which is a serious violation of international norms."