US company captures satellite images of Chinese military blimp: CNN
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The Pentagon confirms that the US military will track the blimp since it is visible to satellites.
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A satellite image shows a blimp in the middle of a runway at a remote base in northwestern China (BlackSky)
Satellite images have been captured for the first time of a giant Chinese military blimp at a remote base in northwestern China, CNN reported on Monday.
The images were taken by the US satellite imaging company BlackSky Aerospace on November 2022 -- three months before an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina -- and show the blimp, estimated to be roughly 100 feet long, in the middle of a runway outfitted to launch airships at a military complex in the desert, the report indicated.
⚡️CNN Exclusive: Never-before-seen Chinese military blimp caught on satellite images of remote desert base pic.twitter.com/0YqaBq5OR0
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) May 1, 2023
It explained that the blimp could be used as a "sky submarine" and appears to have the ability to navigate and propel itself, which could allow the craft to linger over an area for extended periods of time.
According to CNN, the United States Defense Department has confirmed that the US military will track the blimp since it is visible to satellites.
The images serve to shed light on China's preference for airships - blimps, aerostats, and balloons - which are affordable and capable of providing more accurate intelligence than satellites, while also being less prone to damage than airplanes, the US media outlet pointed out.
In the same context, the report mentioned that the BlackSky images have captured a large, 900-foot hangar capable of housing much larger airships.
Read more: US passes bill holding China 'accountable' for balloon incident
US Military tracking another balloon that flew over Hawaii: Reports
In the same context, the US military is tracking a balloon of unknown origin that traversed over sections of Hawaii, NBC News reported on Monday, citing officials.
The US military has been tracking the object since late last week and determined that it does not pose a threat to national security or aerial traffic, and is not transmitting any communication signals, the report said.
Though the balloon — which is moving slowly toward Mexico — did not travel over sensitive areas, the US could still shoot it down if it nears land, the report added. The aircraft does not appear to have maneuverability.
The United States is currently working to identify the owner of the balloon, and does not think that it belongs to China, the report added.
