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An spy balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for gathering intelligence and spotting artillery. The use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today. Synonyms include espionage balloon, reconnaissance balloon, spy balloon, and surveillance balloon.
Because of their importance as observation platforms, balloons were defended by anti-aircraft guns, groups of machine guns for low altitude defence and patrolling fighter aircraft. Attacking a balloon was risky, but some pilots relished the challenge.
The most successful were known as balloon busters, including such notables as Belgium’s Willy Coppens, Germany’s Friedrich Ritter von Röth, America’s Frank Luke, and the Frenchmen Léon Bourjade, Michel Coiffard and Maurice Boyau. Many expert balloon busters were careful not to go below 1,000 feet (300 m) to avoid exposure to anti-aircraft and machine guns.
Government organizations also use tethered helium balloons, called aerostats, as platforms for their radar systems. And at lower altitude—thousands of feet in the air rather than tens of thousands.
The Global spy balloon market accounted for $XX Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2023 to 2030.
U.S. Tracked Spy Balloon From Time It Left China—Days Earlier Than Previously Known
The Pentagon and U.S. intelligence were aware of a suspected Chinese spy balloon from the time it was launched off Hainan island, south of China’s mainland, according to the Washington Post, citing unnamed officials, meaning the federal government was aware of the balloon almost a week earlier than they’ve publicly acknowledged.
The U.S. initially thought the balloon was headed for Guam, but officials were reportedly surprised when it took an abrupt and unexpected jog to the north over the Pacific Ocean.Officials are now reviewing the possibility its course deviation was an accident, according to the Post, since the turn to the north seemed to coincide with a strong cold front that pushed through east Asia.
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