Photo: Chinese spy balloon flying over Charlotte NC, United States of America on February 04, 2023. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The United States (US) military shot down unidentified aerial objects (unidentified flying object/UFO) in North American airspace in recent days. One object is over Alaska, another in northern Canada, and another in the Great Lakes region.
US officials have disclosed new details about objects shot down in recent days. US officials said the three objects looked different but another official said they were roughly the same size.
Officials said the objects shot down in Alaska and Canada were believed to have had a “payload”. This means that something is carried by the object.
Two officials said none of the three objects was believed to have had a propulsion force. Although the ruins still need to be checked to be sure.
“I can’t categorize how they stayed aloft. It could be a gas balloon inside the structure or it could be some sort of propulsion system. But what is clear, they were able to stay on top,” said NORAD Commander General Glen VanHerck.
Then what exactly is the object like? Here are the latest details regarding these objects, quoting CNN InternationalTuesday (14/2/2023).
The shape of the foreign object
1. Off the coast of northern Alaska
According to several US officials. The object is described as a metal object that broke into several pieces when it hit the sea ice.
That suggests that it might have some sort of structure. But officials won’t know for sure until the object is found.
2. Over Lake Huron
Another object that was shot down was over Lake Huron. According to senior officials, it is “octagonal” in shape with ropes hanging down and no visible payload.
“It was traveling at 20,000 feet when it was shot down,” the Pentagon said.
3. Above northern Canada
The object shot down over the Yukon territory in Canada looks like a balloon with a metal charge hanging from below. Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said the object was also flying at 40,000 feet.
He described the object as a “cylindrical object” smaller than a Chinese reconnaissance balloon. It is known that a balloon claimed to be a Chinese spy had been shot down off the coast of South Carolina a week earlier.
Not Aliens?
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that the objects are not related to aliens or extraterrestrial life. This was emphasized in the latest press conference, Monday local time.
“I just want to make sure that we are discussing this from the White House: I know there are questions and concerns about this, but there has been no further indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with the recent takedown,” Jean-Pierre said.
“I want to make sure that the American people know that you all know that. And it’s important for us to say it from here because we’ve heard a lot about it,” he added.
Intelligence “Down the Mountain”
US National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said President Joe Biden had appointed National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an interagency team to study implications for broader policy. This includes the detection, analysis and placement of unidentified aerial objects that pose a safety or security risk.
The group consisted of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Intelligence services are also involved where Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines also joins.
“They’re tasked with engaging their relevant colleagues to share information and try to get their perspective as well, while the government will be in the meantime, brief members of Congress and local officials,” Kirby said.
Kirby also said none of the three newest objects shot down posed a threat to people on the ground. All three, he stressed, sent no communication signals, showed no sign of maneuvering or propulsion capability, and were not manned.
Chinese Spy Balloon
The latest incident comes just days after the US shot down a Chinese reconnaissance balloon that allegedly crossed the country on February 4. A Chinese balloon suspected of being a spy aired in US skies for days before it was finally shot down by a US military fighter jet.
According to the US State Department, the balloon contained multiple antennas capable of gathering intelligence signals from the superpowers. So far, findings suggest the balloon is linked to the Chinese military.
The US government said that the technology embedded in China’s spy balloons was known from photographs taken by US U-2 jets. Furthermore, the US believes that the manufacturers who make these balloons have a direct relationship with the Chinese military.
However, China itself has previously confirmed that the balloon that was shot on February 4 was a weather monitoring balloon. Beijing rejects accusations that the balloons are an espionage tool and accuses Washington of “going too far.”
(sef/sef)
