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☆ Russia's hunted A-50 command planes are its eyes over Ukraine. Here's how it compares to the Boeing E-3 Sentry.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Ukraine's most significant aircraft kills in 2024 are two Russian A-50 command planes. AP PhotoThe MainstayAEW&C aircraft are aerial radar stations meant to detect and track enemy weapon systems — namely aircraft, missiles, and naval ships. An E-3 Sentry takes off at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in January 2024. Last November, the Russians threatened to destroy a French Air Force E-3 that was operating over the Black Sea in what a French military spokesman described as "a particularly aggressive radio exchange." AdvertisementLast year, the US Air Force announced that it had selected the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail as the E-3's intended replacement.

Persons: —, Tupolev, William R, Park Chung, hee, Anwar Sadat, Joseph Barron, hasn't, Benjamin Brimelow Organizations: Service, Russian Aerospace Forces, Soviet Union, Machulishchy, State TV, Radio Company, AP, Western Allies, Beriev, Ilyushin, NATO, Nellis Air Force Base, US Air Force, System, Boeing, Air, Air Force, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Saudi, Royal Air Force, Control Force, NATO Air Base, U.S . Air Force KC, US Air Force Ukraine, Ukrainian Air Force, Allied, French Air Force, Global Affairs, Fletcher School of Law, Diplomacy, Business, Modern, Institute Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Soviet, Minsk, Belarus, Ukrainian, USSR, China, India, Turkey, Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, Syrian, Nevada, American, Latin America, South Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, France, Chile, NATO, Germany, Europe, Azov, Russia, Poland, Romania, Australia, West

Opinion SoleAuthority Forty-five feet underground in a command center near Omaha, there’s an encrypted communications line that goes directly to the American president. Buried below is a military command headquarters constructed in case of a missile attack amid a national emergency. Yet regardless of who wins this election, or the next one, the American president’s nuclear sole authority is a product of another era and must be revisited in our new nuclear age. The jet’s crew can contact the president, verify his or her identity and relay a nuclear attack order to bomber squadrons, submarines and intercontinental ballistic missile silos. It is, however, unacceptable for an American president to have the sole authority to launch a nuclear first strike without a requirement for consultation or consensus.

Persons: —, Anthony Cotton, Biden, Donald Trump, Harry Truman, Truman, Truman’s, Jake Sullivan, ” Mr, Sullivan, “, Richard Nixon, wasn’t, Trump, Henry Kissinger, Nixon, Mark Milley, Nancy Pelosi, Bob Woodward, Robert Costa, Kissinger, Milley, Robert Kehler, Stratcom, Kehler, we’ve, That’s Organizations: U.S . Strategic Command, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Joint Chiefs, Staff, American, White House, Strategic Command, White, North, Democrats, Chiefs, Air Force, Senate, U.S ., United Locations: United States, Omaha, U.S, America, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Soviet, North Korea, Trump’s

☆ Fishermen delivering possible spy balloon to FBI in Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | Evan Perez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Commercial fishermen off the coast of Alaska have found what officials are concerned could be another spy balloon and are bringing it to shore with them, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN. The existence of high-altitude surveillance balloons burst into US consciousness last year, when a Chinese spy balloon appeared to blow off course and transited across the continental US. The US assessed that the spy balloon was part of an extensive surveillance program run by the Chinese military, as CNN reported at the time. There were three additional shootdowns of unidentified high-altitude objects in the weeks following the Chinese balloon incident. NORAD later said in a statement that the balloon was “likely a hobby balloon” that posed no threat.

Persons: Biden, Trump, Glen VanHerck, CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz Organizations: CNN —, CNN, FBI, Northern Command, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Pentagon Locations: Alaska, Quantico , Virginia, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United, American

☆ With a trove of declassified images, the US is shining a light on risky Chinese maneuvers it says could lead to war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US has released a trove of declassified photos and videos of Chinese intercepts of US aircraft. Risky intercepts have caused accidents before, and there's growing fear an accident now could lead to war. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Chinese jet during "a coercive and risky" intercept of US plane over the East China Sea in April 2022. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Chinese jet during "a coercive and risky" intercept of a US plane over the South China Sea in June 2022. A Chinese jet conducting "a coercive and risky" intercept of a US plane over the South China Sea in January 2022.

Persons: —, Ely Ratner, That's, Ratner, Iain Huddleston, John Aquilino, Aquilino, Liu Pengyu, Liu, Lloyd Austin, I've, Michael Chase, Chase, Amanda Hsiao, Hsiao, Xi Jinping Organizations: US, Service, US Defense Department, US Air Force, Pacific Command, Pentagon, PLA, Canadian, Canadian Air Division, Canadian NORAD, People's Liberation Army, Embassy, Washington DC, Southern Theater, Maritime, US Defense Department Experts, China, Crisis, US Defense Department China, South China Locations: China, East China, North Korea, South, East, Washington, Beijing

NORAD scrambled 2 fighter jets after an aircraft flew too close to President Joe Biden's vacation spot. The jets fired flares near the civilian pilot to get their attention. No information about the civilian aircraft or its pilot was released. AdvertisementAdvertisementF-16 intercepts of civilian aircraft that venture too close to where the president is are not uncommon. For instance, NORAD sortied F-16 fighter aircraft to intercept a Cessna, popping flares in the process, after it entered the temporary restricted airspace while Biden was delivering a speech in California last October.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Anthony Guglielmi, Olivia Dalton, Biden, John Kirby, Noble, NORAD's Organizations: NORAD, Service, Aerospace Defense Command, Coast Guard, US, Cessna, UN, White, National Security Locations: Wall, Silicon, Lake Tahoe, Washington, Canada, Virginia, California, New York City, Arizona, DC

☆ Analysis: Canada pressured by allies to up military spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The 2022 average spending for all of NATO was 2.58% of GDP. "We say nice things but do not invest," said the former defense official, and allies now say: "Show us the money." And you don’t get elected in Canada by promising to increase defense spending." The move is allies telling Canada: "We don't want to hear the words anymore. David Perry, President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, also said it was time for Canada to step up.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Jens Stoltenberg, Adam Scotti, I'd, Daniel Minden, Anita Anand, Roland Paris, Trudeau, don’t, Christyn, David Perry, Steve Scherer, Denny Thomas, Grant McCool Organizations: Canada's, NATO, Canadian Forces CF, Minister's, REUTERS, Canada, OTTAWA, Canadian, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Forces, University of Ottawa, Trudeau's Liberal, Lockheed Martin Corp, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Washington Post, HIGH, Canadian Association of Defence, Security Industries, Canadian Global Affairs Institute, Thomson Locations: CFB Cold Lake, Cold Lake , Alberta, Canada, China, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, Lithuania, Pacific, Australia

CNN —The recovery of wreckage from a private plane that crashed Sunday in Virginia, killing all four people onboard, after its pilot became unresponsive is expected to begin Tuesday. The unresponsive aircraft prompted the deployment of six fighter jets as it flew near Washington, DC, officials said. Six F-16s were launched from three bases and raced to intercept the private plane, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said Monday. Investigators are now examining the private plane’s autopilot function in the Virginia crash, a source familiar with the investigation said. Correction: An earlier version of this story gave the wrong source for information about the course taken by the private plane.

Persons: there’s, ” Adam Gerhardt, Gerhardt, John Rumpel, Barbara, Adina Azarian, Aria Azarian, Adina Azarian's, Facebook Rumpel, Rumpel, Jeff Hefner, Strategic Communications John Kirby, Randall K, Payne Stewart, Stewart, ”, Keller Williams, Lakhinder, Azarian, ” “ Adina, ” Keller Williams, Dan Newlin Hefner, Hefner, “, Dan Newlin, ” Hefner, Newlin Organizations: CNN, National Transportation Safety, Cessna, NTSB, Encore Motors, Washington Post, FAA, MacArthur, NORAD, National Security, Strategic Communications, Authorities, Washington, Southwest Airlines, Network, Continental, American Aerospace Defense Command, US Capitol Police Locations: Virginia, Washington, DC, Waynesboro , Virginia, Delaware, East Hampton , New York, Tennessee, Elizabethton , Tennessee, Aberdeen , South Dakota, Florida, Texas, NYC, ” Keller Williams ’, York, Continental US

☆ Virginia plane crash: First responders say aircraft left 'crater' with few recognizable pieces of wreckage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe Natasha Bertrand Haley Britzky Pete Muntean Brian Todd Lauren Koenig Lauren Mascarenhas Cnn | Elizabeth Wolfe | Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Four first responders who arrived at the scene of Sunday’s fatal private plane crash near Raphine, Virginia, told CNN the plane left a “crater,” and they believe it impacted the ground at a very steep angle. First responders said the crash site is amid steep, mountainous terrain that is difficult to reach on foot. We were obviously freaked out a little bit,” Chuck Martin, who felt the boom in Fairfax County, Virginia, told CNN affiliate WJLA. No survivors found in the wreckageSearch and rescue teams assemble before going to the site of Sunday's plane crash near Montebello, Virginia. John Rumpel, whose wife Barbara is listed as the president of the company, told CNN they own Encore.

Persons: ”, “, Chuck Martin, ‘, Sandy Abuarja, Ahreum Kindess, WBAL, Randall K, Wolf, Corinne Geller, John Rumpel, Barbara, Barbara Rumpel, John Rumpel’s, Rumpel, ” Barbara Rumpel, Joe Biden, Andrews, Biden Organizations: CNN, National Transportation Safety, New, MacArthur, Federal Aviation Administration, Virginia State Police, US Capitol Police, Cessna, Continental US, American Aerospace Defense Command, WJLA, DOD, WBAL, DC, George Washington National, “ NORAD, FAA, AP, Encore Motors, Inc, New York Times, National Capital, The U.S, Capitol, Andrews Air Force Base, Service, White Locations: Raphine , Virginia, ”, Virginia, Elizabethton , Tennessee, Washington, DC, Fairfax County , Virginia, Maryland, Gambrills , Maryland, “, George Washington National Forest , Virginia, State, Staunton, Montebello , Virginia, Melbourne, Florida, East Hampton , New York, North Carolina, The, Maryland’s

☆ The family of a Florida GOP megadonor was on board the private plane that sparked NORAD to scramble fighter jets before crashing
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Kelly Mclaughlin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Millionaire John Rumpel said his family was aboard the plane that crashed in Virginia. The private jet flew over Washington DC — causing the military to scramble fighter jets — before crashing. Florida Today reported that Rumpel's wife, Barbara Rumpel, spoke about the plane crash on a Facebook post about a National Rifle Association-related event. The New York Post reported that Barbara and John Rumpel are longtime GOP supporters and made a $250,000 donation to the Trump Victory PAC in 2020. Barbara Rumpel is also an executive committee member of the NRA Women's Leadership Forum, the New York Post reported.

Persons: Millionaire John Rumpel, —, John Rumpel, Barbara Rumpel, Barbara Organizations: Washington DC, Service, GOP, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Encore Motors, Washington Post, New York Times, Cessna, Times, Florida Today, National Rifle Association, The New York Post, Trump Victory PAC, NRA, Leadership, New York Post, Federal Aviation Administration, Associated Press, National Transportation Safety Locations: Virginia, Florida, Washington, DC, Melbourne, East Hampton , New York, North Carolina, Brevard County , Florida

☆ Federal investigators are probing a Virginia plane crash after a sonic boom was heard across the DC area
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Federal safety regulators are investigating the Virginia plane crash that sparked a NORAD response. The military scrambled a fighter jet, causing a sonic boom, when the unresponsive plane flew near DC. A private jet flying from Tennessee to New York abruptly turned around and flew over the nation's capital on Sunday afternoon. The military response caused a sonic boom that rattled homes in the area. The unresponsive private plane didn't change its path and continued over the capital before spiraling out of the air and crashing into a rural part of Virginia.

Persons: —, John Rumpel, haven't Organizations: Virginia, DC, NTSB, Service, Washington Post, Cessna, Officials, National Transportation Safety, Encore Motors, GOP, NRA, New York Times, Times Locations: Virginia, Washington, DC, Tennessee, New York, Melbourne, Florida

☆ Unclear when pilot became unresponsive before crash that sparked Washington DC security scare
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"That will absolutely be part of this investigation of looking at when exactly did the pilot become unresponsive and why did the airplane fly the flight track that it did fly? We don't know the information yet," NTSB investigator Adam Gerhardt told reporters near the crash site. The plane was carrying four including the pilot, a source told Reuters Sunday when it crashed near the George Washington National Forest. Encore owner John Rumpel told the Washington Post his daughter, a grandchild and her nanny were on board. The U.S. military attempted to contact the pilot, who was unresponsive, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement.

Persons: Adam Gerhardt, Gerhardt, John Rumpel, Rumpel, David Shepardson, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Washington , D.C, National Transportation Safety Board, Pentagon, Cessna, NTSB, U.S, Reuters, George Washington National, Virginia State Police, Encore Motors, Washington Post, FAA, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Elizabethton Municipal, MacArthur, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Virginia, Delaware, Melbourne , Florida, U.S, Elizabethton , Tennessee, New York, Manhattan

☆ NORAD scrambled an F-16 to intercept an apparently wayward civilian business jet that flew over DC and later crashed
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The military jet caused a sonic boom while pursuing the small plane, which later crashed. It was not immediately clear why the plane was nonresponsive, why it crashed, or who was on board. The fighter jet caused a loud sonic boom across the capital region. A US official confirmed to The Associated Press the military jet had scrambled to respond to the small plane, which later crashed. The North American Aerospace Defense Command later said the F-16 was authorized to travel at supersonic speeds, which caused a sonic boom.

Persons: —, Long, Barbara Rumpel, Joe Biden, Joint Base Andrews, Anthony Guglielmi, Biden Organizations: Encore Motors, Melbourne Inc, Service, Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna, Long Island's MacArthur, Associated Press, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Joint Base, US, White, DOD, Pentagon, DC Air National Guard Locations: Virginia, Elizabethtown , Tennessee, New, Long, Montebello , Virginia, St, Mary's, Melbourne , Florida, Maryland

CNN —US F-16 fighter jets caused a sonic boom across the Washington, DC, region Sunday as they scrambled to reach an unresponsive aircraft that ultimately crashed in Virginia, officials said. The civilian aircraft, a Cessna 560 Citation V, was intercepted by the NORAD jets around 3:20 p.m. and ultimately crashed near the George Washington National Forest in Virginia. “The pilot was unresponsive and the Cessna subsequently crashed near the George Washington National Forest, Virginia,” the release said. The aircraft crashed into a mountainous terrain in a “sparsely populated area”, according to FAA. “This afternoon, our officials were working closely with our federal partners to monitor an unresponsive pilot who was flying an airplane near the National Capital Region.

Persons: “, Joe Biden, Biden, Anthony Guglielmi Organizations: CNN, Federal Aviation Administration, Continental US, American Aerospace Defense Command, Cessna, NORAD, George Washington National Forest, George Washington National, “ NORAD, Virginia State Police, State, National Transportation Safety, Twitter, National Capital, DC Homeland Security, Emergency Management, FAA, Elizabethton Municipal, MacArthur, Capitol Hill, US Capitol Police, The U.S, Capitol, Service, Andrews Air Force Base, Andrews, White Locations: Washington, DC, Virginia, George Washington National Forest , Virginia, Staunton, Blue, Virginia Sunday, Elizabethton , Tennessee, New York, The, Maryland

☆ U.S. fighter jets intercept Russian planes near Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. fighter jets intercepted six Russian aircraft operating in international airspace near Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said on Sunday. The Russian planes included TU-95 bombers, IL-78 tankers and SU-35 fighter jets, NORAD said in a written statement. NORAD described the interception as "routine" and said they happen roughly six or seven times per year in the so-called Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. "This Russian activity in the North American ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," NORAD aid in the statement. The U.S. aircraft involved in the incident included F-16 and F-22 fighter jets, KC-135 stratotankers and E-3 AWACS, according to the statement.

☆ Watch live: President Biden addresses the Canadian Parliament
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

President Joe Biden will address Canada's Parliament on Friday afternoon as he looks to strengthen bonds between the two countries amid several international threats. Concerns over China and Russia are top of mind for the president as he makes his visit. The Biden administration is also looking for its Canadian allies to take a greater role in helping to stabilize Haiti as gang violence rises. The two autocratic leaders said their partnership would help bring about a new world order led by China and Russia. Biden and Trudeau are seeking to show the strength of their bond and those of democratic nations.

☆ Biden, Trudeau Meeting to Focus on Ukraine, Canadian Defense Strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Ken Thomas | Paul Vieira | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden will make his first official trip to Canada since his time as vice president at the end of the Obama administration. OTTAWA—President Biden will make his first visit to Canada as president Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that are expected to focus on the war in Ukraine and a U.S. push for Canada to bolster its northern defenses and spend more on its military. Mr. Biden’s first trip north of the U.S. border, typically an early stop for a new president, was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. White House officials said Mr. Biden is eager to discuss with Mr. Trudeau ways to strengthen the two nations’ joint defense of North American airspace through the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or Norad. U.S. and Canadian senior officials said the agenda would also include climate-change policies, the supply of critical minerals, and migration across their shared border.

Biden will be in the capital Ottawa on Thursday and Friday to address Parliament and meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Despite the unity over Ukraine, the U.S. is less happy with Canada over its defense spending, which has long failed to meet the 2% target of GDP set by NATO members. But Canada's defense spending is around 1.3% of GDP, well below the NATO target of 2%. David Cohen, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, told CTV that defense spending would be "a topic of ongoing conversation ... because we do need more dollars for defense." Trudeau is likely make a commitment of sorts on Haiti but less than Washington is pressing for, said a source briefed on the summit.

☆ The mystery objects shot down by US fighter jets were 'most likely' harmless civilian objects, Biden says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Three mysterious objects were shot down by the US military in North American airspace last weekend. The three unidentified objects are "most likely" just civilian objects, he said on Thursday. Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Feb. 5, 2023. Biden on Thursday also said he's directed his team to create "sharper rules" for dealing with unidentified objects moving forward, distinguishing between those that pose a security risk and those that don't. In total, four objects — one Chinese surveillance balloon and the three smaller objects that remain unidentified — have been shot down over North American airspace since early February.

☆ What's up there? Possible explanations for mystery objects downed by U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Military officials say that until they are able to recover the debris, they are unlikely to know for sure what the objects were. Scientists use balloons to study wind patterns, air quality, and other aspects of Earth's atmosphere. STILL UNEXPLAINEDThe object downed over Canada on Saturday was described by Canada's defense minister as resembling a balloon. Senator Marco Rubio, leaving a classified briefing on the objects on Tuesday, told reporters that they are no different than the hundreds of benign objects cited in past intelligence reports. "We've never shot down anything in over 65 years of NORAD, and in one week they shot down three things," he said.

☆ Russian bombers intercepted by NORAD near Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber performs a flight over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea, in this still image taken from a handout video released February 14, 2023. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERSFeb 15 (Reuters) - Several Russian strategic bombers and fighter jets have been intercepted by North American air defence forces as they flew over international airspace near Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) said. "NORAD had anticipated this Russian activity ... Two NORAD F-16 fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft," it said. Russia said on Wednesday that it had carried out several flights over international waters in recent days, including in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia. "Long-range aviation pilots regularly perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea and Pacific Ocean," Russia's defence ministry said.

☆ An F-16 fighter jet missed on its first try to shoot down a mysterious object over Lake Huron, top US general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An F-16 fired an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to take down a flying object over Lake Huron on Sunday. "On the fourth one, over Lake Huron, the first shot missed, the second shot hit," Milley said in response to a reporter's question, confirming earlier reports. "And in this case, the missile landed harmlessly in the water of Lake Huron. Sunday's operation marked the fourth instance in about a week in which a US Air Force fighter jet shot down a flying object over North American airspace. The general leading North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Northern Command offered an explanation on Sunday for why there has been a seemingly sudden increase in flying objects appearing over North American airspace.

☆ Why Norad Didn’t Spot Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Doug Cameron | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Norad chief Gen. Glen VanHerck said there is a ‘domain awareness gap’ in the system. The officers staffing North America’s first line of defense against hostile intrusions admit it has gaps: the Cold War-era command hadn’t been watching for balloons. The system of radars, sensors and other intelligence tools overseen by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or Norad, didn’t detect the suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down off South Carolina on Feb. 4, but it has been busy ever since.

☆ Elon Musk joked that the UAPs shot down over North America are alien 'friends of mine' as questions remain over their origins
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk joked on Sunday about the latest UAP to be shot down over North America. Three more unidentified objects have been shot down since the Chinese spy balloon on February 4. "Just some of my [alien] friends of mine stopping by," he added, including emojis of an alien and a flying saucer. Musk's quip came an hour before an American F-16 fighter jet shot down an object over Lake Huron, Michigan. Like the two other downed objects, officials decided it was a risk to civilian aircraft due to the altitude at which it was flying, the statement said.

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force general overseeing North American airspace said on Sunday after a series of shoot-downs of unidentified objects that he would not rule out aliens or any other explanation yet, deferring to U.S. intelligence experts. It was the third unidentified flying object to be knocked out of the sky by U.S. warplanes since Friday, following the Feb. 4 downing of a suspected Chinese weather balloon that put North American air defenses on high alert. "We're calling them objects, not balloons, for a reason, said VanHerck, who is head of the joint U.S.-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the U.S. Air Force Northern Command. However, the government's effort to investigate anomalous, unidentified objects — whether they are in space, the skies or even underwater — has led to hundreds of reports that are being investigated, senior military leaders have said. But so far, the Pentagon has not found evidence to indicate Earthly visits from intelligent alien life, those officials have said.

☆ Here's why mysterious flying objects are suddenly popping up all over the place, according to the military command that's been shooting them down
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Four suspicious flying objects have been shot down over North American skies in recent days. NORAD changed its radar filters to help spot smaller, slower objects after a Chinese spy balloon drifted over the US. The command has changed the way it looks for them and is now finding more of these objects. Since the US Air Force shot down the Chinese balloon in early February, fighter jets have downed three additional airborne objects. US officials said this object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a threat to civilian aircraft.

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