The U.S. military has initiated surveillance on a high-altitude balloon traversing the Western United States, as confirmed by two officials to Fox News on Friday. Detected by U.S. military aircraft, the balloon has been deemed non-threatening, although its origin and purpose remain undisclosed.
This airborne entity, propelled by the jet stream, is currently drifting eastward. In a statement to Fox News Digital, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Public Affairs reported the detection of a small balloon hovering between altitudes of 43,000 to 45,000 feet. Intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah, the balloon was assessed as non-maneuverable and posing no immediate danger to national security. NORAD pledges to continue monitoring its trajectory.
Moreover, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has collaborated closely with NORAD in assessing the balloon’s flight path. Following evaluations, the FAA confirmed that the balloon does not pose any threat to flight safety. Both NORAD and the FAA maintain vigilant coordination to ensure ongoing flight safety amidst the presence of this high-altitude balloon.
