Why would a 21st century warplane shoot a balloon with a missile?

Re:Why would a 21st century warplane shoot a balloon with a ... by bloopernova on Monday February 06, 2023 @07:13AM (#34676253)

I'm out of the loop on what china has done in response. Have they done anything other than complain?

(Genuine question, I know it's really easy to be interpreted as dismissive or confrontational and my intent is to be neither of those.)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why would a 21st century warplane shoot a balloon with a ... by moose_man on Monday February 06, 2023 @07:16AM (#34676268)

Let's let loose the comment section - i.e. stopped censoring nationalists on their internet. This sort ensures that rhetoric is progressively more heated and there will be less space for them to back down. Also they put out additional threats today.

https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why would a 21st century warplane shoot a balloon with a ... by barrkel on Monday February 06, 2023 @07:26AM (#34676354)

I believe the chief of a weather monitoring bureau was removed from his position.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why would a 21st century warplane shoot a balloon with a ... by rippercushions on Monday February 06, 2023 @07:34AM (#34676429)

It's awkward how often these civilian weather monitoring operations go awry, isn't it?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_U-2_incident

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why would a 21st century warplane shoot a balloon with a ... by badcppdev on Monday February 06, 2023 @07:46AM (#34676534)

Do you feel this incident from 63 years ago is relevant now?

For context it's closer to the first powered flight in 1903 than it is to the present day.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why would a 21st century warplane shoot a balloon with a ... by rippercushions on Monday February 06, 2023 @07:50AM (#34676571)

Yes? Both are ham-handed spy missions by a superpower on another, covered up as "weather missions" only after getting caught with their pants down.

[ Parent | on HN ]