In this image provided by the Department of Defense, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, a U.S. Air Force U-2 pilot looks down at a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it hovers over the United States on Feb. 3, 2023. (Department of Defense via AP, File)
There has been heightened interest in reports of balloon overflights after the military identified — and eventually shot down — a large, white Chinese spy craft that crossed much of the country last year. But officials said the balloon intercepted Friday was not sent by a foreign adversary and posed no threat to aviation or U.S. security, according to the Associated Press.
The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, Feb. 4, 2023. (Randall Hill/Reuters)
Intelligence agencies have concluded that the Chinese craft was used for spying, not weather-related issues as China had claimed.
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It is unclear why the spy mission seemed to fail, but officials said intelligence agencies used countermeasures to prevent data collection.
Fox News' Bradford Betz, Liz Friden and Brie Stimson, as well as the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-says-new-high-altitude-balloon-intercepted-us-likely-hobby-craft-year-china-controversy