Authored by Brandon Smith through Alt-Market.us

My dwelling state of Montana was just lately featured in information feeds this week as the primary to watch and establish what the US Air Drive says is a Chinese language spy balloon. The Chinese language declare it’s a civilian climate equipment that was blown off beam they usually expressed “remorse” for the occasion, however the tools seen in images means that this can be a lie. Past that, one other related balloon has been noticed over Latin America – One wayward excessive tech Chinese language balloon may be plausible, however two will not be a coincidence.

There are quite a few theories as to why such a surveillance platform can be utilized by the CCP and what it’s designed to search for, and I assumed I might supply a pair theories based mostly on my years of research into related tasks pursued by the US Division of Protection and DARPA.

First, the instant query is why the Biden Administration has not destroyed the balloon? Why not shoot first and ask questions later? Effectively, Biden’s silence on this difficulty suggests he both has no solutions or that the reality will make the American public very indignant. The more than likely motive it has not been shot down is as a result of it is vitally tough to shoot down.

[It appears the balloon has finally been shot down, but only after the device crossed the entire country – Whatever data the platform was meant to collect, China likely has it now]. 

Excessive altitude balloons journey at 80,000 to 120,000 ft. The typical fighter jet can hit altitudes of 65,000 ft and new era drones can climb to 50,000 ft. These balloons additionally emit little to no warmth signature, which makes them very tough to focus on utilizing missiles. If laser expertise exists that has such a spread, the US navy will not be speaking about it. It’d truly be simpler to shoot down a Chinese language satellite tv for pc than one in all these balloons.

Is there a means? It may very well be performed maybe with a missile utilizing a big fragmentation-type warhead, however the White Home doesn’t appear too concerned with exploring choices.

One other clarification is that the DoD is ready to see what these balloons do. That is the place I might current just a few theories as to their objective. Here’s what I feel is more than likely given the progress of spy balloon expertise proper now…

Chinese language ALTA Balloon Program

For just a few years now DARPA has been taking part in with an idea for top altitude surveillance balloons utilizing a expertise referred to as “Strat-OAWL.” Balloons have been fielded for hundreds of years as surveillance weapons, however unpredictable wind and atmospheric adjustments push the balloons round, making them ineffective inside a coupe of days for any particular area.

To interrupt it down merely, Strat-OAWL is the experimental use of lasers to learn wind pace and route far forward of a balloon. The balloon then makes use of that knowledge to extend or lower altitude to experience airstreams in no matter directing the navy desires the balloon to go. This might enable elevated navigational management, however the Holy Grail that DARPA seeks is a excessive alt balloon that may keep in one place indefinitely.

I discover this concept impractical, like most DARPA tasks, if solely as a result of wind currents can change sooner than any balloon can modify altitude, however I do see the potential makes use of right here. The Chinese language might unleash lots of of excessive flying spy balloons with related capabilities to spy satellites at a fraction of the price and with much less threat of destruction by enemy fireplace. The CCP could also be trying to check their very own model of the DARPA directional balloon tech, whereas additionally ready to see if the US has the means to shoot down the units.

Lidar Remark From A Balloon Platform

The Chinese language have been messing with lidar expertise rather a lot recently. Lidar makes use of pulsed lasers to measure small variations in terrain to uncover hidden shapes and constructions. It additionally has a knack for reducing by way of forest cover and different obstructions. The issue with lidar is that the platforms generally used to hold the equipment are sooner transferring and solely seize a snapshot in time. Additionally, it can not see by way of thick clouds, mud, rain, snow or fog.

NASA and DARPA have each been testing lidar from balloons as a way to maintain the lasers within the sky longer above a particular space. The Chinese language balloon additionally appears considerably just like the tools used on European lidar balloon experiments.

A lidar based mostly spy balloon would clarify Chinese language curiosity in Jap Montana, the place there are quite a few identified nuclear missile silos in addition to suspected hidden silos. The Chinese language balloon did actually come close to a minimum of one identified nuclear missile base close to Billings. Lidar may very well be exploited to search out hidden bases within the area.

Multispectral Imaging

Very like Lidar, multispectral imaging tech is extremely depending on the platform that it’s mounted on. MI is used to measure wavelengths of sunshine that aren’t seen to the human eye and it’s examined in lots of scientific purposes. Nonetheless, there are navy purposes, together with utilizing MI to find hidden variations in terrain that don’t match the encircling surroundings. In different phrases, its meant to smell out camouflaged buildings, automobiles, combating positions, and many others.

China launched two satellites for multispectral imaging in 2019 and will now be attempting to check the identical tools on balloons. It’s exhausting to say if they’re in search of a singular goal, or if they’re simply establishing baseline picture maps for use sooner or later for…who is aware of?

Weapons Supply Platform

Excessive altitude balloons are low cost and comparatively efficient surveillance platforms that can be utilized very similar to satellites however, with the precise tools, might turn out to be much more maneuverable. With the CCP’s restricted assets it is smart that they’d be using low-cost and low visibility measures as a substitute of pricey and simpler to focus on lengthy vary drones or spy planes.

Nonetheless, these programs aren’t simply helpful for statement – They may also be used to ship weapons packages, together with EMP weapons, nuclear weapons and organic brokers. The US has been testing balloons for nuclear supply ever since Operation Yucca in 1956.

Within the occasion of battle between China and the US, the CCP could also be in search of a solution to strike with weapons of mass destruction with a passive supply system that’s exhausting to defend in opposition to.

The top purpose is tough to determine. Little question, the Chinese language anticipate battle with the US within the close to future. The surveillance could also be in preparation for an invasion of Taiwan within the close to time period (subsequent couple years).

Or, the complete circus may be designed to see how America reacts. To this point, the Biden White Home has performed nothing and has mentioned nothing.