2 chapters across the catalog
Technical details emerged regarding the F-22 Raptor's engagement with the Chinese balloon at high altitudes. Pilots reportedly had to fly at Mach 1.3 to maintain lift in thin air, making the use of onboard guns too dangerous due to the risk of flying through debris. While some information remains classified, the engagement is characterized as a demonstration of the aircraft's operational envelope limits.
Amateur radio enthusiasts believe one of the unidentified aerial phenomena recently downed by a $400,000 Sidewinder missile was actually a $12 Pico balloon. These small ham radio balloons typically carry Raspberry Pi transmitters and operate on low power. A producer with intimate knowledge of the military's balloon tracking efforts provided insight into the recalibration of radar systems to detect these slow-moving objects.
