An investigation into the Chinese spy balloon that entered US airspace in 2023 has revealed that its surveillance capabilities were enhanced by technology made by American companies. Despite initial efforts by the Biden administration to downplay the situation, intelligence officials have confirmed that the balloon carried components from at least five US firms.
🚨The Chinese spy balloon that traveled over half of the U.S. in 2023 was packed with technology produced by at least five private American companies.⁰
It's troubling that our adversaries can purchase U.S. tech and use it to spy on the American people. https://t.co/zdvQyTGNpQ— House Homeland GOP (@HomelandGOP) February 11, 2025
Chinese spy balloon that traversed US airspace was packed with American tech: report https://t.co/dSRTQo4Tsg pic.twitter.com/Wk8DSZmeV7
— New York Post (@nypost) February 11, 2025
According to sources familiar with the classified report, the balloon was equipped with satellite communication modules, sensors and imaging technology. These components were supplied by US manufacturers, including Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corporation and onsemi. Swiss-based STMicroelectronics was also linked to parts found in the balloon’s surveillance payload.
The people who:
-Supported the FBI spying on parents at school board meetings
-Sent IRS agents to your door
-Praised illegal aliens crossing the border in record numbers
-Let a Chinese spy balloon fly across the country
Have a huge problem with DOGE.
Wonder why?
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) February 11, 2025
Investigators also discovered empty storage compartments within the device, suggesting that the balloon may have been capable of launching smaller gliders to gather more detailed intelligence. This aligns with research papers from China’s aerospace sector, which describe the development of deployable surveillance systems designed for high-altitude operations.
One of the most alarming discoveries was that the balloon’s satellite communication system allowed data to be transmitted back to China in real time. An unnamed source familiar with the technology stated that “a Chinese company would not have given them full satcom coverage over the US,” indicating that American-made components were critical to the spy balloon’s operations.
Despite mounting evidence, the Biden administration initially dismissed the incident as insignificant. Former President Joe Biden said at the time that the balloon was “more embarrassing than intentional,” even though its advanced surveillance capabilities had yet to be publicly confirmed.
The presence of American technology in the balloon has sparked concerns over how China was able to acquire sensitive components. Lawmakers have demanded answers on whether existing export controls failed to prevent US technology from aiding a foreign adversary’s espionage efforts.
