Posted on Jul 21, 2023
Chinese spy balloon exposed gaps in ability to detect threats, NORAD chief says
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The Chinese spy balloon that flew across North America earlier this year exposed important gaps in the U.S.’ ability to detect airborne threats and propelled the development of new surveillance technology, the senior U.S. commander responsible for patrolling the skies told NBC News in an exclusive interview.
Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of the U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), told “Nightly News with Lester Holt” that U.S. surveillance capabilities have been strengthened with new technology since the balloon was spotted off Alaska in late January.
“We were not looking for a high-altitude balloon at that time — 65,000 feet, very slow. Our radars are capable of seeing it, but we were filtering out that data,” he said recently in a wide-ranging interview at the Colorado Springs headquarters of NORAD, which monitors the skies over the U.S. and Canada and responds to potential threats.
Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of the U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), told “Nightly News with Lester Holt” that U.S. surveillance capabilities have been strengthened with new technology since the balloon was spotted off Alaska in late January.
“We were not looking for a high-altitude balloon at that time — 65,000 feet, very slow. Our radars are capable of seeing it, but we were filtering out that data,” he said recently in a wide-ranging interview at the Colorado Springs headquarters of NORAD, which monitors the skies over the U.S. and Canada and responds to potential threats.
Chinese spy balloon exposed gaps in ability to detect threats, NORAD chief says
Posted from nbcnews.com
China
Spying
Threat
Technology
Posted 1 y ago
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Let's face it, NORAD systems were never designed to identify A balloon. Tweek all you want as long as that tweeking doesn't impact the ability of systems to identify the actual threats they are designed for.
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Interesting article, PO1 William "Chip" Nagel. A learning experience is always good, lol. Good photo of recovering the balloon, too.
Seems a lot of responsibility for one person given what NORAD originally was:
"Aside from being the head of NORAD, VanHerck is also ultimately responsible for the country’s homeland and maritime defense, including against ballistic missiles, and for providing support to civil authorities in responding to natural disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires."
Seems a lot of responsibility for one person given what NORAD originally was:
"Aside from being the head of NORAD, VanHerck is also ultimately responsible for the country’s homeland and maritime defense, including against ballistic missiles, and for providing support to civil authorities in responding to natural disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires."
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I see this as a failure on a lot of levels.
1. NORAD squelching slow moving items. At 65k feet, there are no birds. Just sayin'
2. After numerous visual sightings, the Government refused to do anything about it.
3. It was allowed to cross over numerous sensitive sites all across the country before being taken down.
4. The government saying that they were OK with a surveillance balloon crossing as it posed no risk to the people.
They didn't even know it was there, FFS! Then they try to hide its purpose.
Absolutely pathetic leadership.
1. NORAD squelching slow moving items. At 65k feet, there are no birds. Just sayin'
2. After numerous visual sightings, the Government refused to do anything about it.
3. It was allowed to cross over numerous sensitive sites all across the country before being taken down.
4. The government saying that they were OK with a surveillance balloon crossing as it posed no risk to the people.
They didn't even know it was there, FFS! Then they try to hide its purpose.
Absolutely pathetic leadership.
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