A high-altitude balloon used by China to conduct surveillance over the US was equipped with technology from at least five American companies, according to intelligence sources. The findings have raised alarms over national security risks and weaknesses in export control policies.
Investigators examining the balloon’s wreckage determined that components from Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corporation, and onsemi were embedded in the surveillance equipment. Swiss-based STMicroelectronics was also identified as a supplier of key parts.
🚨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
A satellite communication module was discovered among the wreckage, indicating that the balloon had the ability to transmit data back to China. Analysts also found empty storage compartments, leading to speculation that the device was designed to deploy smaller surveillance tools for enhanced 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
Iridium, a US defense contractor, confirmed that its communication technology was present in the balloon. The company stated that its products are commercially available and that it has no way of controlling their end use once purchased.
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
Although the Biden administration initially played down the security risk, evidence now suggests that China was using the balloon to gather intelligence over sensitive military locations. Rep. Michael McCaul and other lawmakers have called for a full investigation into how China acquired US-made components for espionage purposes.
The discovery of American technology in Chinese surveillance equipment has renewed demands for stricter oversight on exports. Security officials are now pushing for greater accountability to prevent future breaches.
