Officials: Chinese spy balloon was able to gather intelligence in air

Apr 03, 2023

Shannon Longworth Anchor

By Shannon Longworth (Anchor), Ben Burke (Producer/Editor)

According to senior U.S. officials who spoke with NBC News, the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the U.S. before it was shot down in February 2023 was able to gather intelligence from several sensitive American military sites despite the Biden administration’s efforts to prevent that from happening. The balloon first entered U.S. airspace over Alaska on Jan. 28. Within the next four days, the balloon was flying over the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana where the U.S. stores some of its nuclear assets.

Reports on the spy balloon started coming out Feb. 2. The U.S. shot down the balloon two days later off the coast of South Carolina.

While it was in the air, China was able to control the balloon so it could make multiple passes over some of the military sites. The spy balloon then used electronic signals to collect intelligence, which it sent to Chinese officials back in Beijing in real time.

The officials said China could have gathered a lot more intel than it did if not for Biden administration efforts to obscure the balloon’s ability to pick up on the signals.

Tags: Alaska, Beijing, China, Chinese Spy Balloon, Montana, United States

Brand new details this week on the Chinese spy balloon that flew across the u-s before being shot down earlier this year.

According to senior U-S officials — the balloon was able to gather intelligence from several sensitive American military sites.

This — despite the Biden administration’s efforts to prevent that from happening.

First — a quick recap of the timeline.

The balloon first entered U-S airspace over Alaska on January 28th.

Within the next four days — the balloon was flying over the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana — where the U-S stores some of its nuclear assets.

Reports on the spy balloon started coming out February 2nd.

The U.S. shot down the balloon two days later off the coast of South Carolina.

While it was in the air — China was able to control the balloon so it could make multiple passes over some of the military sites.

The balloon then used electronic signals to collect intelligence — which it sent back to Beijing in real time.

The officials said China could have gathered a lot more intel than it did if not for Biden administration efforts to obscure the balloon’s ability to pick up on the signals.