We are using 1/2 a million dollar missiles, should be sending up A-10’s with Gatling guns. But then we have nitwits in charge.
I'm not a big fan of shooting at things with 30mm depleted uranium rounds, at a rate of 4,000 rounds per minute, over the North American population. Every round, which has to come back to earth because a balloon will not absorb or slow any of them, is a liability.
Maybe we should have plan B and plan C to take these balloons down in case we are ever confronted with other balloon associated issues, like one loaded with bombs that will explode on impact with the ground, or one with an EMT device etc..
Too high.
But you are correct a slow plane would be great here.
The Russians used a cargo plane with a giant AAA gun that looked a bit like the top of the millennium Falcon to shoot USA balloons. Because of the low pressure differential you have to tear up the balloon. Holes are worthless.
A laser would be the best option, as the rounds dissipate and don’t drop to the ground. We (Israel) use a laser cannon called Iron Beam on Arab terror balloons with regularity. It could be mounted to the top of any given cargo plane.