The destruction of the Chinese balloon involved the U-2 Dragon Lady, the only aircraft in the US that can fly at altitudes above 21km

Last week, the United States destroyed a Chinese balloon that had been flying over the country for several days. The operation involved a U-2 Dragon Lady high altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

Here's What We Know

The US military spotted the balloon in late January and officially announced it in early February. A few days afterwards, an F-22 Raptor fighter destroyed the balloon with an AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile. It was the first aerial target to be shot down by the first fifth-generation aircraft.

The operation was initially reported to have involved a KC-135 Stratotanker air tanker, a P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft and a Lockheed HC-130 rescue aircraft. The US Department of Defence later confirmed in a conversation with The Drive that the military had engaged the U-2 Dragon Lady.

The high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft was developed by Lockheed Skink Works. It entered service in 1957. The U-2 Dragon Lady is the only aircraft in US service that can fly at the altitude of a Chinese balloon (~20 km). The U-2 has a practical ceiling of 21.3 km.

At least two aircraft, call signs Dragon 99 and Dragon 01, were involved in the ballooning operation. One of the planes occasionally made contact with the US Air Force's Eastern Air Defence Sector. Using its sensors, the aircraft was able to take high-quality photos of the balloon and pick up electronic emissions.

In addition, Dragon Lade is equipped with an electronic warfare system. With its help, the reconnaissance aircraft was able to jam any messages that the Chinese balloon could transmit to satellites in space.

Source: The Drive