Photo: NORAD
The Chinese spy balloon that traveled across the U.S. in 2023 was actually equipped with technology from American-based companies.
Newsweek first reported that two sources closely directed to U.S. military technical analysis found out that the balloon contained technology from at least five U.S. companies, including satellite communication modules and sensors. The equipment on the balloon was capable of taking pictures and collecting intelligence data. Some of it came from Texas Instruments. It's technology aso matched a patent from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Aerospace Information Innovation Research Institute, which is linked to China's military.
So, the Chinese were capable of spying on the U.S. from our airspace using technology made in America.
"It's a huge problem for our national security if the Chinese are actively using American technology," Retired Army Captain Sean Timmons said.
At the time, President Biden initially did not want the balloon to be shot down over U.S. land and said that "it was not a serious threat." Chinese officials claim that the balloon was a civilian weather-research airship that accidentally drifted into U.S. airspace.
Timmons said it's the prior administration who's at fault for this.
"They didn't spend enough resources on actually protecting Americans and our national interests," Timmons said of the Biden administration. "That's one of the things that the Trump administration is trying to crack down on."
There are a few theories as to how the Chinese were able to obtain American-made technology for the balloon. Timmons said it could've been routed through an American ally.
"Some of it may be purchase acquisition through shell companies of a third-party vendor," he explained.
There is a more malicious and concerning possibility too.
"People within our government have been taking bribes from the Chinese government," Timmons said.
The spy balloon started it's flight in Alaska and was eventually shot down over the South Carolina coast Feb. 4, 2023.