The Chinese spy balloon that flew over the continental United States earlier this year was reportedly able to get intelligence on U.S. military bases during its flight.
The surveillance balloon flew over several military installations, and the Chinese government was able to collect information on those bases despite efforts to prevent it from doing so, per NBC News.
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The report says the balloon was able to be controlled by and deliver data in real time to the Chinese government, per two current senior-level officials and one former senior administration official. The data the balloon was able to pick up were nearly all electronic signals, which can be emitted by weapons and communications on the bases.
The spy balloon flew over or nearby military installations in Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Missouri during its more than three-day flight over the continental U.S.
The balloon first entered U.S. airspace on Jan. 28 over Alaska before entering into Canadian airspace. The balloon reentered U.S. airspace over Montana on Jan. 31 and was discovered by the public over Big Sky Country on Feb. 2. The balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.
The Pentagon said it did not shoot the balloon down over Montana because of the risk to civilians and property on the ground. Officials have said they observed balloons enter U.S. airspace on at least four occasions. U.S. officials reportedly confirmed that another balloon crashed near Hawaii four months prior to the February incident.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the Pentagon was aware of the previous balloons flying into U.S. airspace under Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump but said the Pentagon only became aware of the balloons during the Trump administration after he had left office.
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The balloon’s intrusion into U.S. airspace caused Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel his trip to China, with Blinken telling the press on Feb. 3 that “conditions were not conducive for a constructive visit at this time.”
The Chinese have denied any wrongdoing, insisting the balloon was a civilian aircraft used for meteorological purposes and that it simply veered off its course. The Chinese government later said it “strongly disapproves” of its balloon being shot down.
