The Chinese spy balloon shot down off the US coast in 2023 contained American-manufactured technology that enabled its surveillance capabilities, a new intelligence analysis has revealed. Despite early dismissals from the Biden administration, investigators say the balloon’s ability to gather intelligence was made possible through components supplied by US companies.
A classified military assessment found that at least five US-based firms, including Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corporation, and onsemi, provided technology used in the spy balloon. Additionally, Swiss company STMicroelectronics was identified as another supplier.
🚨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
One of the most concerning discoveries was that the balloon was fitted with a satellite communication module that likely allowed it to send data back to China in real time. Investigators also found empty storage bays, leading analysts to believe the balloon may have been designed to carry and deploy gliders for expanded intelligence-gathering.
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
The Biden administration initially downplayed the balloon’s capabilities, with Biden himself stating that it was “more embarrassing than intentional.” However, the findings suggest that the surveillance operation was carefully planned, with a payload designed to collect and transmit sensitive information.
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
Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas condemned the administration’s handling of the incident, warning that the balloon was gathering intelligence on US military sites. “They are trying to collect information about our military capabilities in preparation for conflict,” McCaul said, calling the administration’s response a major national security failure.
The presence of American-made technology in China’s espionage operations has raised alarm over the country’s ability to bypass export controls. The findings underscore the growing challenge of preventing adversarial nations from exploiting US innovation for surveillance and military purposes.
