Chinese Spy Balloon Had ‘Self-Destruct’ Capability That Wasn’t Activated: Report

Chinese Spy Balloon Had ‘Self-Destruct’ Capability That Wasn’t Activated: Report

Share to Linkedin Sailors assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 prepare material recovered in the Atlantic Ocean from the ... [+] Chinese spy balloon for transport to federal agents at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Feb. 10, 2023. (U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Seelbach) The Chinese spy balloon that was eventually shot down over the Atlantic Ocean on Feb. 4 after sailing over the continental U. S. was apparently blown off course and had a "self-destruct function" that wasn't activated before reaching Alaska, according to a new report from the New York Times. It's not immediately clear what would have allowed the balloon to self-destruct or whether that capability would've posed a danger to anyone on the ground if it was done over U. S. airspace. The balloon, one of four objects shot down over the U. S. and Canada in the past two weeks, was deployed by China to spy on Hawaii and the territory of Guam, according to senior defense officials who spoke to the Times. But it's believed the spy balloon was blown off course over the Pacific Ocean, sending it up to Alaska before crossing into Canada and then down