Chinese spy balloon shot by US had tech from at least 5 American firms: Report

Chinese spy balloon

A Chinese spy balloon that floated across to the US and was shot down by the military had technology from at least five American firms, a Newsweek report said.

The report, which cited sources privy with a technical analysis by the US military, said that the discovery of satellite communication, sensors and other tech that belonged to American companies shows that the US has been unable to stop the exports of key technology that can be adversely used by rivals China, Russia and Iran.

Spy balloons have been used for reconnaissance purposes, including in conflicts like the American Civil War.

The practice was extensively used in both World War 1 and the Cold war.

The Chinese balloon flew from Alaska to the US east coast where it was downed by the US military on February 4, 2023.

The balloon had a payload that included surveillance equipment, the report added.

China had rejected the reports of it being a spy balloon and instead claimed that it was a weather balloon.