U.S. downs unknown flying object posing ‘reasonable threat’ to civilian flights near Alaska | CBC News

The U.S. Pentagon shot down an unknown object flying in U.S. airspace off the coast of Alaska on Friday, according to White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

The object was flying at about 40,000 feet (about 12,100 metres) and posed a “reasonable threat” to the safety of civilian flights, said John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesperson.

Kirby said that U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the military to down the object, which he described as roughly the size of a small car. No other details about what it was were immediately provided.

The object fell into U.S. waters. The development comes after the U.S. shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon on Saturday. Officials are still recovering debris from that object, shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

More to come