Western radars challenged by spy balloons

Three 'unidentified flying objects' have been shot down in American skies over three days.

A few days after the episode of the Chinese spy balloon flying over Montana, the uncertainty about the characterization of these machines alerts and surprises.

These objects were apparently able to thwart US radar capabilities and identification procedures.

"

," said General VanHerck, who commands the Norad, on Monday.

Since the episode at the beginning of February, the American sensors have adapted their filters to take an interest in objects as slow as balloons, which move at the speed of the winds.

Radars have had to explore low frequencies to see them, whereas defense systems, until now, have been more concerned with planes or missiles.

Read alsoChina-United States: the hunt for spy balloons intensifies

Spy balloons raise new challenges for the capacities of Westerners, who had not, or little, anticipated the challenge.

On paper…

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