Aviation

US fighter jet shoots down airborne object over Lake Huron

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In the most recent incident since a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon put North American security forces on high alert, US military fighter planes on Sunday shot down an octagonal object above Lake Huron, according to the Pentagon.

President Joe Biden instructed an F-16 to launch an AIM-9X missile just before 2:42 p.m. to shoot down an aerial target that was circling Lake Huron at a height of around 20,000 feet, according to the Defense Department (DOD). The path and altitude “raised concerns, particularly that it could constitute a hazard to civil aviation,” according to the DOD.

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It was the fourth aerial target that an American missile had shot down over North America in a little more than a week. The military has not been able to determine what the three most recent objects are, how they stay in the air, or where they are coming from, according to U.S. Air Force General Glen VanHerck, who is in charge of defending American airspace.

According to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the item seemed to be octagonal in shape and had strings hanging off of it but no discernible payload. The position picked for this shootdown provided the potential to minimize impact with civilians on the ground while enhancing the probability of debris recovery, according to a Pentagon official.

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There are no signs that any civilians were injured or in any other way impacted, he said. After seeing the object on Sunday morning, North American Aerospace Defense Command kept a visual and radar track on it. “We can reasonably tie this object to the radar signal received up over Montana given its flight route and data, which travelled close to key DOD sites.”

Pilots from the US Air Force and the National Guard participated out the operation to bring the item down over Lake Huron, according to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan on Sunday. Great effort was done by everyone involved in completing this mission, both in the air and at headquarters. We’re all curious as to what this device was and what it was used for, she wrote in a tweet.

The object has been downed by pilots from the US Air Force and National Guard. Great work by all who carried out this mission both in the air and back at headquarters. We’re all interested in exactly what this object was and it’s purpose. 1/ https://t.co/LsjwtjntCv
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) February 12, 2023

After the incident, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer claimed to have spoken with the federal government and twitted,

Our national security and safety is always a top priority. I’ve been in contact with the federal government and our partners who were tracking an object near our airspace. I’m glad to report it has been swiftly, safely, and securely taken down. The @MINationalGuard stands ready.
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) February 12, 2023
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Aviation

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Boeing and Antonov Company to investigate potential collaboration on defense-related projects.

“We’re happy to keep collaborating with the Antonov Company to help Ukraine’s economic development and expansion,” stated Ted Colbert, CEO and president of Boeing Defence, Space, & Security.

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“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defence Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

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“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company.

This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”