Pentagon tracking suspected Chinese spy balloon over the US

No need to over-react. This is a minor threat. They have spy satellites and have been stealing intellectual property, etc., etc. for years. China is an adversary we need to be prepared to deal with, but no reason to get hysterical about a balloon. I think it is more of an embarrassment to China than anything else.
 
If they're for a sneak attack it had better be good, as the ultra-hittable balloons will only get one shot. Also, they're flying at a really high altitude. I wonder how low EMP would have to be to be effective?
 
StPaulDad said:
If they're for a sneak attack it had better be good, as the ultra-hittable balloons will only get one shot. Also, they're flying at a really high altitude. I wonder how low EMP would have to be to be effective?
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Nuclear EMP is MOST effective at suborbital altitudes...

A balloon attack would have a limited radius of impact...UGLY but limited...
 
They are just pulling our chain. They wouldn’t dare attack the continental US
 
flieger83 said:
Nuclear EMP is MOST effective at suborbital altitudes...

A balloon attack would have a limited radius of impact...UGLY but limited...
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Yup
Not permitted to go much further than that.
 
Military Aircraft Identification Quiz.
 

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Is the Chinese balloon more:

1. A matter of national security

2. A matter of national pride

Pick one, you can’t say both
 
NJROTC-CC said:
No need to over-react. This is a minor threat. They have spy satellites and have been stealing intellectual property, etc., etc. for years. China is an adversary we need to be prepared to deal with, but no reason to get hysterical about a balloon. I think it is more of an embarrassment to China than anything else.
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If an intelligence gathering balloon it can be designed to gather ELINT that Chinese satellites may not be capable of intercepting, or even to trigger US military electronics used to track it, then pass this information to the Chinese. Even the US still had ELINT aircraft. Part of the Cold War “cat and mouse” was for US and Soviet aircraft to fly close enough to the others airspace and navy ships to trigger electronic countermeasures. This could be a Chinese method for doing so. I would not just brush it off until we see what the balloon is actually carrying.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
If an intelligence gathering balloon it can be designed to gather ELINT that Chinese satellites may not be capable of intercepting, or even to trigger US military electronics used to track it, then pass this information to the Chinese. Even the US still had ELINT aircraft. Part of the Cold War “cat and mouse” was for US and Soviet aircraft to fly close enough to the others airspace and navy ships to trigger electronic countermeasures. This could be a Chinese method for doing so. I would not just brush it off until we see what the balloon is actually carrying.
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Thats my guess. To see what counter measures do or dont affect what communication back.
 
That would be my bet. Bait us into action to gather intelligence on that action.
 
I assume someone wearing blue will bring this thing in safely for investigation. Likely some risk management to ensure no accidents is why it hasn't been done yet. I doubt it conveniently flew into an air-to-air gunnery range. Although there is such a thing as being too cautious and indecisiveness sends a bad message.
 
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