R.I.P. Scout26
There have been previous attempts to shoot down errant high altitude weather balloons from fighter aircraft. Despite it seeming to be a simple task, it really hasn't worked all that well. Below is a link to one occasion where CF-18s (Canuck F-18) expended over 1000 rounds of 20mm and weren't successful in bringing down a balloon.https://www.businessinsider.com/runaway-weather-balloon-fighter-jets-history-2023-2?op=1
Now Biden is down playing thisBiden says Chinese spy balloon was 'NOT a major breach' because all countries gather intelligence, and defends waiting to shoot it down - despite it being able to collect Americans' communicationshttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11736281/Biden-says-Chinese-spy-balloon-NOT-major-breach.html
As one of the pioneers of aerial intelligence gathering, I agree it is somewhat hypocritical of the USA criticizing other countries for doing the same thing. We were also the originators of 'navigational mistakes' explaining why our aircraft just happened to stray across a border and take pictures of intelligence value.
The unidentified object reportedly had a “cylindrical shape” and was much smaller in size than the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down last week.“We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose or origin,” said Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder. “The object was about the size of a small car, so not similar in size or shape to the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina.”
“Recovery operations continue today near Deadhorse, Alaska. U.S. Northern Command’s Alaska Command and the Alaska National Guard, in close coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement, are conducting search and recovery activities,” the statement said. “Arctic weather conditions, including wind chill, snow, and limited daylight, are a factor in this operation, and personnel will adjust recovery operations to maintain safety.”U.S. officials said that the recovery operations were happening on sea ice and there was not any additional information at this time about the object, including its capabilities, purpose, or origin.
