The Chinese spy balloon passed to the US earlier this year used American technology helped it gather audiovisual information, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing preliminary findings from a closely held investigation.
Analysis from some US defense and intelligence agencies, found that the balloon carried commercially available US equipment, along with more specialized equipment Chinese sensor and other devices to collect photos, videos and other information for transmission to China, the WSJ quoted US officials as saying.
The findings support a conclusion that craft was intended for spyand not for weather monitoring as China claimed, the report said.
However, the balloon did not appear to be sending data from its eight-day trip through Alaska, Canada and several other contiguous US states to China, the WSJ said.
The White House and the Federal Bureau of Investigation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In February, the US shot down a hot air balloon over sensitive military sites, triggering a diplomatic crisis.
Analysis from some US defense and intelligence agencies, found that the balloon carried commercially available US equipment, along with more specialized equipment Chinese sensor and other devices to collect photos, videos and other information for transmission to China, the WSJ quoted US officials as saying.
The findings support a conclusion that craft was intended for spyand not for weather monitoring as China claimed, the report said.
However, the balloon did not appear to be sending data from its eight-day trip through Alaska, Canada and several other contiguous US states to China, the WSJ said.
The White House and the Federal Bureau of Investigation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In February, the US shot down a hot air balloon over sensitive military sites, triggering a diplomatic crisis.
