General Glen VanHerck of the U.S. Air Force stated to reporters on Monday that the Chinese spy balloon shot down off South Carolina's coast on Saturday may have been carrying explosives for potential self-destruction.
VanHerck, the Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, reported that the balloon was approximately 200 feet in height and weighed more than a few thousand pounds.
He added that officials suspect it might have carried explosives for the purpose of detonating and destroying the balloon.
Wow: Northcom chief Gen. VanHerck says the balloon was up to 200 ft tall, with a payload the size of a jetliner. It weighed "in excess of a couple thousand lbs" and potentially carried explosives " to detonate and destroy the balloon."
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) February 6, 2023
VanHerck informed reporters that the military typically lacks the authority to gather intelligence within the U.S. on a daily basis. However, in this instance, "special permissions were granted to gather intelligence on the balloon."
“It was my assessment that this balloon did not present a physical military threat to North America,” VanHerck continued. “This is under my NORAD hat, and therefore I could not take immediate action [against the balloon] because it was not demonstrating hostile act or hostile intent.”
John Kirby, a National Security Council spokesman, stated that the spy balloon was equipped with propellers and a rudder to guide its navigation, but its ability to maneuver was reportedly limited.
“They utilize their maneuverability to strategically position themselves to utilize the winds to traverse portions of countries that they want to see for collection purposes,” VanHerck continued.
Gen. VanHerck of NORAD/NORTHCOM offers more on how these balloons navigate: "They utilize their maneuverability to strategically position themselves to utilize the winds to traverse portions of countries that they want to see for collection purposes."
— Matt Seyler (@MattSeyler) February 6, 2023
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