US jets intercept high-altitude balloon over Utah
A high-altitude balloon flying over the western part of the United States was intercepted by US military aircraft, which determined that it posed no threat.
According to US officials, the small, non-maneuverable object does not pose a risk to flight safety, despite its unknown origin and purpose. The aircraft was sighted drifting eastward over Colorado and Utah on Friday.
Last year, the US military shot down a Chinese balloon that traversed the country from Alaska to the east coast.
The object detected on Friday, floating at an altitude of approximately 44,000 feet (13,400 meters), prompted US officials to deploy fighter jets for investigation. Norad, the military command responsible for air defense over the US and Canada, reported that its fighter jets intercepted the balloon over Utah and would continue to track and monitor its movements.
Norad stated that the Federal Aviation Administration had confirmed the aircraft’s lack of hazard to flight safety.
According to CBS News, an unnamed official disclosed that the balloon, constructed from Mylar, a type of polyester film, featured a small cube-shaped box suspended beneath it. The official added that the balloon was expected to be over Georgia by Friday night.
Last February’s balloon episode sparked a diplomatic crisis between Washington and Beijing.
The Chinese authorities had denied it was a spy aircraft, describing it as a weather ship blown astray.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a trip to China, calling the airship’s presence an “irresponsible act”.
An F-22 jet fighter destroyed that balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
