U.S. air defenses allowed at least four other Chinese balloons to cross into U.S. territory undetected. Here's why
that had entered U.S. airspace in recent years, including near Texas, Florida, and Hawaii?
While the U.S. is still working to determine how and why previous balloons escaped detection, experts say it may partly have to do with difficulties picking up inflatable airships on existing radar. And it could take deploying new technology and new strategies to make sure future balloons are spotted. “We don’t as a country have persistent sensors that can detect low profile and low heat signatures on our borders,” Riki M.
China has dismissed allegations of espionage—instead claiming that the balloons are civilian craft for research; many experts have saidThe U.S. has spent decades investing billions of dollars into radar installations, satellite constellations, and other globe-spanning systems with the goal of detecting airborne threats. American airspace is monitored for fast-moving threats like missiles and planes primarily via radar.
Much of U.S. military spending is focused disproportionately on offense instead of defense, says Ellison, whose group advocates for spending more money on radars and interceptors designed to defend American airspace. “It’s about spending money the right way… it’s the Department of Offense over there; the American public has got to be protected.”
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