Mysterious spy balloons are appearing over multiple states
In this DML Report…
Recent sightings of high-altitude balloons have been reported across several U.S. states, including Arizona, Colorado, and Alabama, with objects described as white and hovering well above cloud level, prompting residents to share photos and videos on social media platforms. In Arizona, multiple incidents occurred in Tucson this year, including a sighting two weeks ago over Lemmon that could not be tracked on apps like Flightradar24, and earlier events in June where balloons lingered over Tucson and Sierra Vista for more than a week. One Tucson object was identified as part of a U.S. military test, while in Boulder, Colorado, a balloon spotted this week was confirmed as an Aerostar Thunderhead model capable of carrying signal-gathering, communications, or sensor equipment. In North Alabama, meteorologist James Spann reported a balloon labeled HBAL787 drifting south over northeast Alabama on October 15, 2025, before moving into Tennessee at an altitude of 59,200 feet, also attributed to Aerostar.
Aerostar, a company specializing in balloons for scientific research, telecommunications, and military applications, has been linked to several of these sightings, as high-altitude balloons are routinely used for atmospheric studies and communications testing. However, their visibility and flight patterns have raised public concerns, echoing the 2023 incident where a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon traversed the continental U.S. and was shot down by a fighter jet off South Carolina's coast. Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, commented on the Arizona military test balloon, stating: "It is a technology that should not and constitutionally cannot be applied to the American people. Even testing for eventual overseas use in legitimate combat theaters raises a lot of questions about what kind of data is being collected."
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A February 2025 report revealed that the 2023 Chinese balloon contained U.S.-made technology, including satellite communication modules and sensors from at least five American companies, according to sources with knowledge of the classified investigation. A Chinese patent discovered during the probe outlined methods for utilizing American satellite technology to control such balloons and collect sensitive data, with the equipment available for online purchase. These developments have raised questions about aerial surveillance, privacy implications, and data collection practices, although many current sightings appear to be tied to domestic operations rather than foreign activities.