A CHINESE SPY BALLOON OVER MONTANA, HERE’S HOW WE GOT HERE


By bblouin
A Chinese spy balloon was spotted over Montana.

In today’s world, the technology for all sorts of complex operations is available. Of course, this means it’s definitely being used for war. We have enough nuclear weapons to erase mankind from existence, hypersonic weapons, self-driving vehicles of destruction, remote-controlled planes with bombs that shoot missiles filled with swords…the list goes on and on. But one important piece of equipment continues to prove its worth: the balloon. Specifically, spy balloons. They’ve been around since the French used them in 1794, and now a Chinese spy balloon has appeared in Montana. Explore the history of this unlikely military tool and how to make sense of it all over the years. Related Read: Deny It All You Like, Birds Aren’t Real

Why Was There a Chinese Spy Balloon Over Montana?

February 2023 is starting off with tons of covert military espionage excitement. The Chinese spy balloon that entered Alaska and eventually, secretly, made its way to Montana is causing quite a stir among Americans. Many believe that if not for the chance sightings by citizens, the government would have never even told us it existed. There is no conspiracy here about its origin. China has already claimed it. But its purpose continues to fall under intense scrutiny. China says the balloon over U.S. was for weather research, but the U.S. government believes it could be spying on America. Which begs the question, what would it be spying on? The major concerns, and they are related, involve the possibility that China is gathering intelligence to send back to its satellite program. This information would be used to identify potential missile sites in order to help its own hypersonic missiles assumingly hit said targets. Tensions are high right now around the world, but with China and the U.S., this is concerning. Global nuclear powers at odds over geopolitical subterfuge is a less-than-ideal situation and so anything that conspires will always be under a microscope. But spy balloons have been around for a while and seemingly still have a role in modern warfare. Concerning as they are, the U.S. military does seem to believe whatever threat there may be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q63dHcVAikM

The History of the Surveillance Balloon

Long before alleged weather instruments came floating across Big Sky Country, spy balloons had been used by various militaries. The French are credited with the first use of such tools for surveillance. Specifically, the French Aerostatic Corps used them during the Battle of Fleurus in the French Revolutionary Wars. But today, technology as we know it has evolved and these instruments can collect a wealth of information, data points, and metrics unlike anything before. Many other nations have used spy balloons including the British Army during the Second Boer War, and Brazil during the Paraguayan War. However, these efforts originated in the 19th century. We are well past that point now, but in today’s world, high-altitude balloons have the ability to reach the stratosphere and fly about with little or no detection. Furthermore, even if you do find one, as is the case with the Chinese balloon, taking them down can be a bit difficult. Suggested Read: It’s America’s Largest UAV: Meet the RQ-4 Global Hawk

Did Civil War Spies Use Hot Air Balloons?

Yes, spy balloons in the Civil War were used on both sides. Although these were a far cry from the Chinese spy balloon in 2023, they helped gain tactical advantages for opposing armies looking for the best positions. Both the Confederates and Union fighters used hot air balloons that were tethered to the ground, and while they weren’t in the stratosphere collecting data for missiles, the tactic helped troops below make informed decisions about their maneuvers.

Area 51, New Mexico, and a Crash at Roswell

The Chinese spy balloon incident may be the latest event involving weather balloons but it’s far from the first dust-up with balloons that America has been involved in. Well, depending on who you ask, at least. Because according to the U.S. military, the 1947 Roswell Incident was merely a failed weather instrument flight. But the speculation and reports around the event spiraled in many different directions, and it shaped much of what we think about when envisioning space aliens landing in modern-day America. Eyewitness accounts claimed that it was a UFO and that alien bodies were recovered. These discrepancies would fuel conspiracy theorists who are still adamant today that aliens crashed at Roswell. But while we may never fully understand what happened all those years ago, it's impossible to completely rule out that a UFO wasn’t in play, or even possible alien assistance for high-tech weather balloons. It is, however, unlikely.

Aftermath of the Chinese Spy Balloon, Where Do We Go From Here?

The truth is, spy balloons are becoming a reemerging trend because technology is catching up to satellites. Between lasers and other attacks, satellites find themselves more vulnerable to countermeasures, whereas spy balloons are making a comeback. In addition to collecting data, part of this is a bit embarrassing for the United States, a notion that is surely not lost on China’s government. A war with China over Taiwan may be coming and the two sides have been on edge for quite some time as a result. Furthermore, depending on what is found to have been collected could determine the response from the U.S. government. This isn’t Montana’s first dealing with foreign balloons when you remember how Japan’s fire balloons took the Second World War to American soil. But that doesn’t mean Americans are satisfied with the finding. The Chinese spy balloon is sparking concern as the eyes of the nation shift to D.C. for a response. Thankfully, it appears the balloon was relatively harmless and was finally taken down by the U.S. military as soon as it was safe to do so. The Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina. But if this is all we’re dealing with, rather than facing 99 red ones, we should be just fine. Read Next: Top 30 Coolest Military Weapons You’ve Never Heard Of


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