A detailed analysis of the Chinese spy balloon that entered US airspace in 2023 has revealed that it was outfitted with technology from American companies, raising serious concerns about national security and export controls.
According to a classified report, the balloon carried components from at least five US-based firms, including Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corporation, and onsemi. Swiss company STMicroelectronics was also identified as a supplier of parts used in the surveillance payload.
🚨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
Investigators determined that the balloon had a satellite communication module allowing it to transmit collected data back to China. Additionally, analysts found empty storage bays, which suggest the possibility that it was designed to release smaller surveillance devices, a technology consistent with research conducted by Chinese aerospace institutions.
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
American defense contractor Iridium confirmed that one of its satellite communication modules was part of the balloon’s equipment. The company stated that its products are commercially available and can be resold without requiring an export license unless the buyer is specifically restricted.
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
Despite growing evidence of the balloon’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, the Biden administration initially dismissed concerns, with Biden claiming the incident was “more embarrassing than intentional.” However, lawmakers, including Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, warned that the balloon was part of China’s broader effort to collect data on US military sites.
The presence of US-made technology in Chinese surveillance operations has sparked renewed debate over export controls and national security risks. Officials are now demanding answers on how Beijing was able to obtain these sensitive components.
