Try unlimited access
Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT
Only
$1 for 4 weeks
Explore our subscriptions
Individual
Find the plan that suits you best.
Group
Premium access for businesses and educational institutions.
Read More
The Pentagon has reported that it is tracking a Chinese spy balloon over the United States. The balloon, which was first spotted in April, is believed to be a type of solar-powered high-altitude balloon used for intelligence gathering.
The balloon is traveling over several states in the midwest, including Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. According to a recent press release from the United States Defense Department, the balloon is transmitting multiple signals that have been assessed to be of Chinese origin.
The Department of Defense has not released any details about the content of the signals being monitored, or the purpose of the spy balloon, but they have confirmed that they are taking appropriate measures to track the balloon’s movements.
Due to the secretive nature of the balloon’s activity and location, the Pentagon has not released information on who or what is controlling the balloon, or what it is actually tracking, though they have indicated that they are monitoring its movements to ensure that it remains outside of U.S. airspace.
The announcement of the balloon’s activity has raised some alarm among national security officials and politicians, who fear that the Chinese could be using the technology to gain an advantage in military, economic, and political activities.
However, Pentagon officials have dismissed these concerns and stressed that the balloon is not equipped with any weapons or offensive capabilities, and that their primary focus is on ensuring the safety and security of the US airspace.
