Live Coverage!!US military shoots down Chinese spy balloon over Atlantic Ocean

a reply to: wavelength

Yeah I guess but...

The whole "tracking a slowly moving object in the sky" thing...really though? Who the actual # could say this is a real thing without being a complete twat? right?

originally posted by: Jonjonj
a reply to: wavelength

Yeah I guess but...

The whole "tracking a slowly moving object in the sky" thing...really though? Who the actual # could say this is a real thing without being a complete twat? right?

Well, that's just it, tracking. The funny thing is, one of the advantages the media is telling you regarding "balloon use" over sat use is that it doesn't follow the predictable orbits of satellites, which is a stupid excuse. You and I could track that balloon the whole way with our eyeballs and a civilian laptop. How hard was that?

It's real in the sense that the balloon flew by. It's also real in the sense that intel is going to reverse engineer the gathered data, even if it is useless. That's about it though--after that, it's nothing but a power move by China and a propaganda stunt.

We have to ask, what is it that China REALLY wanted to gain by this magic show, and what is the US trying to gain from this and the subsequent propaganda? That's what it's all about. It's a psyop.

Our Dear Leader the Great Defender of Democracy has neutralized the threat.

/after receiving permission from Xi

Kind of curious of China's state new media's take on all this.

a reply to: wavelength

I absolutely agree that it was real, where I disagree is in this:


"It's real in the sense that the balloon flew by. It's also real in the sense that intel is going to reverse engineer the gathered data, even if it is useless. That's about it though--after that, it's nothing but a power move by China and a propaganda stunt."

There is no intelligence to be gathered from a propaganda made news story. Honestly it's hilarious that this is being taken seriously but if I say that then I am Pro Chinese! I mean lol!"!!

A big, fat, obviously stupid balloon flies over the continental MIDWEST of the US, the US calls it Chinese and...

There really are no words.

originally posted by: wavelength

originally posted by: Jonjonj
a reply to: wavelength

Yeah I guess but...

The whole "tracking a slowly moving object in the sky" thing...really though? Who the actual # could say this is a real thing without being a complete twat? right?

Well, that's just it, tracking. The funny thing is, one of the advantages the media is telling you regarding "balloon use" over sat use is that it doesn't follow the predictable orbits of satellites, which is a stupid excuse. You and I could track that balloon the whole way with our eyeballs and a civilian laptop. How hard was that?

It's real in the sense that the balloon flew by. It's also real in the sense that intel is going to reverse engineer the gathered data, even if it is useless. That's about it though--after that, it's nothing but a power move by China and a propaganda stunt.

We have to ask, what is it that China REALLY wanted to gain by this magic show, and what is the US trying to gain from this and the subsequent propaganda? That's what it's all about. It's a psyop.

I'm interested to hear your assertion, what kind of psyop? Are you suggesting it was done for destabilization purposes or distractionary purposes? Aren't those the 2 main psyop motivations, or am I missing something?

I could be wrong but I thought the problem with satellites it gathers so much raw data it's difficult to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff, while theoretically balloon surveillance can have a more focused approach, much easy to find military communications while loitering over Billings Montana than orbiting over the northern hemisphere.

as well as it's cheaper...more mission specific

Hell, I could see them selling the tech to other countries, LOL could be why it was used in South America in the first place, could be selling the intelligence gathered alone.

www.bbc.com...

Nevertheless, the experts point out that balloons can be fitted with modern technology like spy cameras and radar sensors, and there are some advantages to using balloons for surveillance - chief of which is that it is less expensive and easier to deploy than drones or satellites.

The balloon's slower speed also allows it to loiter over and monitor the target area for longer periods. A satellite's movement, on the other hand, is restricted to its orbital pass.

a reply to: putnam6

lockheed was using blimps in afganistan, so its not like we havent been using them we just dont "lose" control over the direction.

a reply to: wavelength

What type of RF or SDR devices could have been on that balloon?

I'm asking you because it seems like your wheel-house..

a reply to: putnam6
From what I know about it (not much more than most of us on here I'm sure), if my assertions are correct, this was (most likely) a psyop intended to sway the opinions and attention of the US and friends (distractionary). The act may partially have intended to make the people of the US question their government and military, for one, and for China to show that it is not afraid to make a statement. It's like a gorilla banging on its chest, or a taunt, if you want to look at it that way.
Most people get psyops and STOs (special technical operations) mixed up, especially in the CT world. (Not saying you do, rather that a lot of people do)
This is a combination of both. For those who do not know, a psyop is a propaganda-based operation, such as a dictator sending out beach balls with his face and name on it, news media related activities, pamphlets/leaflets, etc. A Special Technical Operation involved more physical operations that directly manipulate a given situation. As we see, there are elements of both going on with the Magic Balloon Show.

originally posted by: Jonjonj
There is no intelligence to be gathered from a propaganda made news story. Honestly it's hilarious that this is being taken seriously but if I say that then I am Pro Chinese! I mean lol!"!!

Well, there is, but it's tricky.
Look at it this way, the balloon is a tool. A magician (in this case, China) uses tools; props, cards, screens, boxes, hats, etc. The magic trick is comprised of the use of tricks along with the props (tools). The magic trick is not just the tools, it is the sleight of hand utilizing the tools. Uri Geller's spoons sure didn't bend themselves.
The intelligence does not all have to come from the tool itself, the intelligence comes from how the tool was used, even as propaganda. Everyone is always trying to stay one step ahead of each other.
They are looking at more than just the dumb balloon. They are looking at the act.

This pretty much reads, ‘Look! Sloppy Joe shot down a Chinese Spy Balloon. There’s NO way he/she is in bed with the China’

a reply to: wavelength

There is no gain from a negative state.

Sorry but clearly this was a fun game for the US, there was no gain to be made in this event...right?

Biden claims he ordered it shot down Wednesday and the military refused to do so until today because it might have landed on someone's head.

When did this country, especially its military, become such pussies? 👎🏻

Something is a little fishy here:

First, it's a balloon - a big white one - not even painted blue or black to be a little less obvious. Pretty reasonable to think if you release it, someone, someplace is going to notice? Do people really believe the Chinese thought the military wouldn't notice a great, big white object flying about it?

Second, it's a balloon - this tech has been obsolete for over a hundred years? What's next, a report war is coming because China is starting a bow and arrow factory?

Third, it's a balloon - If it's up in the air, it could have been shoved into a truck or placed in a private plane. Geez, if they wanted they could have legally sent a small army over here to conduct testing.

I'm not sure why they put out this story maybe some type of psych ops? Or maybe it was something more than just a balloon with spy equipment? The only thing I could come up with is that a balloon would be good for releasing a chemical or biological attack.

originally posted by: MykeNukem
a reply to: wavelength

What type of RF or SDR devices could have been on that balloon?

I'm asking you because it seems like your wheel-house..

Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) is almost a guarantee, it's used to create renderings of objects (terrain, vehicles buildings, etc) by recording the energy reflected back to it after interacting with the probed landscape. Regarding communications equipment, that is something intel is looking to probe (even if it's worthless, which it probably is). It's probably nothing fancy, they wouldn't give anything special away.
At that altitude I'm not convinced that it would have been an efficient platform for any deliberate microwave/RF "attacks" or tests of any kind. Nothing to worry about there.

originally posted by: Creep Thumper
Biden claims he ordered it shot down Wednesday and the military refused to do so until today because it might have landed on someone's head.

When did this country, especially its military, become such pussies? 👎🏻

When did the military refuse the order of an American president? WTF?

originally posted by: wavelength

originally posted by: MykeNukem
a reply to: wavelength

What type of RF or SDR devices could have been on that balloon?

I'm asking you because it seems like your wheel-house..

Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) is almost a guarantee, it's used to create renderings of objects (terrain, vehicles buildings, etc) by recording the energy reflected back to it after interacting with the probed landscape. Regarding communications equipment, that is something intel is looking to probe (even if it's worthless, which it probably is). It's probably nothing fancy, they wouldn't give anything special away.
At that altitude I'm not convinced that it would have been an efficient platform for any deliberate microwave/RF "attacks" or tests of any kind. Nothing to worry about there.

Gotcha. I'll be honest, I'll hafta look up SAR, lol.

Yea, I think the response is what is going to garner the intelligence. If this wasn't a collaborative psyop.

Thanks wave!

Currently, at Splash site 1, there is a Chinese vessel to the south.



A US Navy ship to the East.


And a USAF Wolfhound above Myrtle Beach.

originally posted by: wavelength

originally posted by: MykeNukem
a reply to: wavelength

What type of RF or SDR devices could have been on that balloon?

I'm asking you because it seems like your wheel-house..

Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) is almost a guarantee, it's used to create renderings of objects (terrain, vehicles buildings, etc) by recording the energy reflected back to it after interacting with the probed landscape. Regarding communications equipment, that is something intel is looking to probe (even if it's worthless, which it probably is). It's probably nothing fancy, they wouldn't give anything special away.
At that altitude I'm not convinced that it would have been an efficient platform for any deliberate microwave/RF "attacks" or tests of any kind. Nothing to worry about there.

You remind me so much of the famous ATS Intelgirl or something like that. I'm glad you're here.