crapped in its pants, not knowing whether to shit or go blind…
Our very own Department of Defense cowers as the Chinese “recommend” that their spy balloon is merely ‘studying the atmosphere’ and ‘nothing to worry about’…
Yowsa, boss.
extexanwannabe
Redefining Sarcasm
extexanwannabe 
The only aircraft the US has in inventory that can fly high enough to get to the balloon is the U2 and it is armed with cameras. I am not sure how the U2 trainer is configured but it is too late to start any modifications. The only way to get it down is with a rocket and that destroys all the tech.
Yeah, well I am fresh out of missiles, and apparently so is Montana…
One again, leave the responsibility of our welfare and common defense to those who claim said responsibility, then drop the ball cause they can’t hold the ball and all that money at the same time.
Here are the specs on the F-22 via Wikipedia. Note the service ceiling of 65,00 feet, the same height as what the balloon was said to flying at. Keep in mind that whatever the published specs for any armament system are, actual performance is probably better, sometimes much better. After all, would you be telling a potential adversary what your full capabilities are?
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.25, 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) at altitude
Mach 1.21, 800 knots (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at sea level
Mach 1.82, 1,220 mph (1,963 km/h) supercruise at altitude
Range: 1,600 nmi (1,800 mi, 3,000 km) or more with 2 external fuel tanks
Combat range: 460 nmi (530 mi, 850 km) clean with 100 nmi (115 mi, 185 km) in supercruise
590 nmi (679 mi, 1,093 km) clean subsonic[N 13]
Ferry range: 1,740 nmi (2,000 mi, 3,220 km)
Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)
g limits: +9.0/−3.0
Wing loading: 77.2 lb/sq ft (377 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 1.08 (1.25 with loaded weight and 50% internal fuel)
I was under the impression the balloon was at 85,000 to 90,000 feet. Down at 65,000 a couple of rounds from the guns would have been effective in bringing down the balloon and possibly retrieving the tech.
I did not know it was that high.
“The Biden and his Handlers Administration; Making America Appear Weak In Everything It Can’t and Won’t Do!”