Investigators examining the wreckage of the Chinese spy balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast in 2023 have confirmed that it contained American-made technology, enabling China to conduct surveillance over US territory.
Sources familiar with the classified analysis say at least five US companies contributed components found in the balloon’s surveillance payload. Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corporation, and onsemi were identified as suppliers, along with Swiss-based STMicroelectronics.
🚨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
The balloon was equipped with a satellite communication module, allowing it to relay intelligence back to China in real time. Further analysis revealed that empty compartments inside the balloon suggested it may have been capable of deploying smaller surveillance devices.
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
Jordan Hassim, a spokesman for Iridium, acknowledged that one of the company’s communication modules was used in the balloon. He noted that Iridium’s products are commercially available and can be resold without restriction unless purchased by a prohibited entity.
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 these revelations, Biden downplayed the incident, stating that China’s leadership was unaware of the balloon’s presence. This contradicts concerns from national security officials who warned that the device was likely gathering intelligence over sensitive military sites.
With China continuing to gain access to critical US technology, lawmakers are calling for stricter export controls to prevent American companies from inadvertently aiding foreign espionage.
