F-22 Raptor uses state-of-the-art AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to destroy Chinese spy balloon that was spying on US strategic targets
The US Department of Defense has officially confirmed the destruction of a Chinese balloon. A press release posted on the Pentagon website said the balloon belonged to China and was used to monitor US strategic targets.
Here's What We Know
Fox News TV channel showed live Video: F-22 Raptor destroys Chinese spy balloon that flew over US for days. US President Joe Biden said he had given the order to shoot down the balloon on Wednesday, but on the recommendation of the National Security Agency (NSA) it was decided to wait until it flew away from residential areas.
One F-22 shot one AIM-9X air-to-air missile to take down the balloon
- Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) February 4, 2023
A U.S. Defense Official has stated that a F-22 from Langley Air Force Base fired 1 AIM-9X Missile at around 58,000 ft. which hit the Chinese Spy Balloon which was flying at 65,000 ft.
- OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 4, 2023
The balloon was eventually destroyed by a fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighter. The aircraft climbed to an altitude of 58,000 feet (17.8km) and launched a missile at the balloon, which was flying at 65,000 feet (almost 20km). The US Department of Defence officially confirmed that the F-22 used an AIM-9X Sidewinder guided air-to-air missile. The wreckage of the balloon fell into the water.
Photos show the Chinese Balloon being shot down by a F-22 Raptor from Myrtle Beach, SC!
- Jake (@astroqv) February 4, 2023
????Me pic.twitter.com/AWSmILlRzg
The AIM-9X is the latest modification of the Sidewinder short-range missile, which was developed over 70 years ago. The missile has a diameter of 0.13 meters, a wingspan of 0.45 meters, a length of 3 meters and weighs more than 84 kg.
