Army Surveillance Balloons Over Tucson Spark Privacy Alarm Among Advocates

High-altitude surveillance balloons operated by the U.S. Army and a private firm are generating privacy concerns in the Tucson area.

For over a week, multiple balloons have been sighted in Tucson and Sierra Vista. One balloon, registered as N257TH, has garnered particular attention, having previously been misidentified as a Chinese spy balloon.

The balloon is owned by South Dakota-based Aerostar and is part of its “Thunderhead” balloon system, which has been conducting tests in collaboration with the military and various contractors nationwide and internationally.

Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed serious concerns about the military’s use of this technology. “It is a technology that should not and constitutionally cannot be applied to the American people,” he stated, highlighting potential issues around data collection for military testing.

Aerostar has refrained from disclosing specifics regarding their testing protocols, directing queries to the U.S. Department of Defense and the Army, both of which have yet to respond. However, Aerostar clarified that its operations are not linked to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol or the Department of Homeland Security.

“High-altitude balloons would be ideal for missions associated with those agencies,” noted Anastasia Quanbeck, Aerostar’s Culture and Communications Director, emphasizing the balloons’ advanced capabilities in intelligence and environmental monitoring.

The Thunderhead system operates between 60,000 and 100,000 feet, significantly above commercial airliners, making it suitable for diverse applications ranging from surveillance to scientific research. Following recent incursions of Chinese balloons into U.S. airspace, the Army plans to initiate a similar program by 2025.

Historically, Aerostar has utilized blimps for surveillance, first in combat zones and later along the U.S. border. The newer balloon systems provide several advantages: they operate at higher altitudes, carry larger payloads, and have extended operational durations.

In response to growing concerns over persistent surveillance, Stanley referenced a 2021 ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that deemed similar aerial surveillance practices unconstitutional. He stated, “It becomes more sensitive when the military is doing it.”

Aerostar and the military have not detailed the balloon systems’ onboard equipment; however, the technology’s capacity for prolonged surveillance poses potential risks to privacy. With the Thunderhead system capable of maintaining altitude for up to 30 days, Stanley warned of the implications, stating, “Following someone around for long periods reveals too much about their life.”