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Alaska Object Shootdown
On February 10, 2023, an F-22 Raptor shot down an unidentified 'car-sized' cylindrical object flying at 40,000 feet near Deadhorse, Alaska. Unlike the Chinese balloon, officials said it posed a threat to civilian aviation. The debris was never recovered from the frozen terrain.
2023
Deadhorse, Alaska, USA
10+ witnesses
A mystery object was destroyed but never recovered.
The Event
February 10, 2023:
- F-22 Raptor scrambled
- Deadhorse, Alaska
- Near Arctic coast
- Object destroyed
- Debris not found
The Object
Description:
- “Car-sized”
- Cylindrical shape
- 40,000 feet altitude
- No propulsion visible
- Threat to aircraft
The Shootdown
Military action:
- AIM-9X missile used
- First air-to-air kill
- After Chinese balloon
- Second object in days
- Heightened alert
The Search
Recovery effort:
- Frozen terrain
- Harsh conditions
- Debris scattered
- Search abandoned
- Nothing recovered
The Mystery
Unknown factors:
- Origin never determined
- No nation claimed it
- Not Chinese balloon
- Purpose unknown
- Case closed incomplete
The Context
2023 incidents:
- Chinese balloon Feb 4
- Alaska Feb 10
- Yukon Feb 11
- Lake Huron Feb 12
- Four objects in 8 days