Questions remain about suspected Chinese spy balloon

The suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that drifted throughout American airspace over previous days and was shot down by the US Air Force over the Atlantic on the weekend triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and blew up on social media.

China insists the large white orb was simply an errant civilian airship used primarily for meteorological analysis that went off target because of winds and had solely restricted “self-steering” capabilities.

It additionally issued a menace of “further actions.”

In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it. — In this picture supplied by Chad Fish, the remnants of the suspected Chinese spy balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, after it was destroyed by a missile fired from a US fighter jet. (AP)

In an announcement after the craft was shot down, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated using pressure by the US was “an obvious overreaction” and a severe violation of worldwide observe.

It added: “China will resolutely uphold the relevant company’s legitimate rights and interests, and at the same time reserving the right to take further actions in response.”

The US says it was a Chinese spy balloon undoubtedly.

The Pentagon says the balloon, which was carrying sensors and surveillance gear, was maneuverable and confirmed it might change course.

It loitered over delicate areas of Montana the place nuclear warheads are siloed, main the army to take actions to stop it from amassing intelligence.

A US Air Force fighter jet shot down the balloon on Saturday off the Carolina coast by deploying a Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

Television footage confirmed a small explosion, adopted by the balloon slowly drifting towards the water.

An operation is underway to get well the remnants.

But questions linger over the incident. Here is what we all know and do not know.

It’s a chook, it is a aircraft, it is a spy balloon

The Pentagon and different US officers stated it was a Chinese spy balloon — concerning the dimension of three college buses — that moved east over America at an altitude of about 18,600m.

The US says it was getting used for surveillance and intelligence assortment, however officers have supplied few particulars.

Former FBI counter-terrorism professional Peter Strzok informed Today the balloon was a big refined construction and was most likely able to gathering detailed intelligence.

The path of the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon throughout North America. (AP)

In the primary public US assertion, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, stated that the balloon was not a army or bodily menace — an acknowledgement that it was not carrying weapons.

But different specialists are nervous the craft might simply be fitted with weapons to destroy or injury targets beneath it.

Anthony Shaffer, who served as senior intelligence officer within the US military, informed Today he was involved the balloons might turn into “weaponised”.

He pointed to how the Japanese fitted explosive units to high-altitude balloons throughout World War II and flew them over the north-western US.

“This is something we need to be worried about,” he stated.

“(The question) is, potentially, what do they put below that balloon that could be potentially weaponised?”

What concerning the balloon wreckage?

Once the balloon crashed into the water, US officers stated, the particles discipline stretched not less than 14km, and was in water 15m deep.

That depth is shallower than what they’d deliberate, making it simpler to retrieve items of the sensor bundle and different elements which may be salvageable.

Officials stated the USS Oscar Austin, a Navy destroyer, the USS Carter Hall, a dock touchdown ship, and the USS Philippine Sea, a guided missile cruiser, are all a part of the restoration effort, and a salvage vessel will arrive in just a few days.

They stated navy divers can be readily available if wanted, together with unmanned vessels that may get well particles and raise it again as much as the ships.

The FBI can even be current to classify and assess something recovered, officers stated.

The Pentagon stated a Sidewinder air-to-air missile was fired from a US AIr Force fighter jet to destroy the balloon. (AP)

Are there different Chinese balloons within the sky?

The Pentagon acknowledged stories of a second balloon flying over Latin America.

“We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon,” Ryder stated.

Officials stated the balloons are a part of a fleet that China makes use of for surveillance, and they are often manoeuvred remotely via small motors and propellers.

Colombian media reported sightings of a balloon flying at about 20,000m over the South American nation’s airspace, citing the Colombian army.

There have additionally been stories that there was a balloon seen flying over Costa Rica, which could possibly be the identical one as seen in Colombia.

Shaffer pointed to remarks by US Senator Marco Rubio who claimed an identical Chinese balloon had been seen over Hawaii, a key Pacific naval base.