A senior US State Department official says the Chinese balloon that recently flew across the United States was equipped with antennas capable of collecting intelligence signals.
On Thursday, the official revealed new information about an image analysis of the balloon, which was eventually shot down by US military jets last Saturday.
The official said images captured by US military surveillance planes show the balloon had multiple antennas that are capable of detecting communications. The images also show that solar panels were used to power intelligence collection sensors.
The official denied China's claim that the balloon was a "civilian unmanned airship."
The senior official also said the US is confident that the manufacturer of the balloon has a direct relationship with China's military and is an approved vendor of the People's Liberation Army.
The official added that China has conducted similar surveillance balloon flights over more than 40 countries.
The official mentioned the US will take action against entities linked to China's military that enabled the balloon to enter the US's airspace.
On Thursday, the official revealed new information about an image analysis of the balloon, which was eventually shot down by US military jets last Saturday.
The official said images captured by US military surveillance planes show the balloon had multiple antennas that are capable of detecting communications. The images also show that solar panels were used to power intelligence collection sensors.
The official denied China's claim that the balloon was a "civilian unmanned airship."
The senior official also said the US is confident that the manufacturer of the balloon has a direct relationship with China's military and is an approved vendor of the People's Liberation Army.
The official added that China has conducted similar surveillance balloon flights over more than 40 countries.
The official mentioned the US will take action against entities linked to China's military that enabled the balloon to enter the US's airspace.
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Summary
A senior U.S. State Department official confirms the Chinese balloon that traversed the United States was equipped with antennas for signal intelligence collection and solar panels to power its sensors. It has been revealed that the balloon, shot down last Saturday, had multiple antennas capable
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ID: f9057b22-d9c3-4a32-bf10-3f7ede8926d5
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230210_05/
Date: Feb. 10, 2023
Created: 2023/02/10 11:46
Updated: 2025/12/09 07:37
Last Read: 2023/02/10 12:11