Solar panels + lithium batteries + propulsion + precise weather data = balloons can be directed. Payload could be virus, dirty bomb, spy equipment.
It is a very low cost asymmetric warfare technique. It would cost 50x more for us to launch warplanes and shoot it down that it cost to build and deploy the balloon.
There was no propulsion system. Balloons are not dirigibles. This one simply followed the prevailing currents. And, as it turns out, they are an easy kill (happy, that).
My original point was only that it was doubtful. I am overjoyed to be proven wrong on this. It does indicate a more subtle performance capability of the AIM-9X Sidewinder. (In previous attempts in the past, it had proven to be impossible.)
If the balloon were at 200,000 feet, I could see it might be difficult. This thing was at 60,000. Easy to take out the payload with guns, you don't even need a missile.
But if our military has no way to take out a balloon at 200,000 feet, they should come up with something because dirty bombs or EMP weapons or bioweapons delivered by balloon are a real threat.
Solar panels + lithium batteries + propulsion + precise weather data = balloons can be directed. Payload could be virus, dirty bomb, spy equipment.
It is a very low cost asymmetric warfare technique. It would cost 50x more for us to launch warplanes and shoot it down that it cost to build and deploy the balloon.
There was no propulsion system. Balloons are not dirigibles. This one simply followed the prevailing currents. And, as it turns out, they are an easy kill (happy, that).
Do you stand by your original point, that it is just too hard to shoot down balloons?
My original point was only that it was doubtful. I am overjoyed to be proven wrong on this. It does indicate a more subtle performance capability of the AIM-9X Sidewinder. (In previous attempts in the past, it had proven to be impossible.)
If the balloon were at 200,000 feet, I could see it might be difficult. This thing was at 60,000. Easy to take out the payload with guns, you don't even need a missile.
But if our military has no way to take out a balloon at 200,000 feet, they should come up with something because dirty bombs or EMP weapons or bioweapons delivered by balloon are a real threat.