Texas airspace closed after reported accidental use of military laser to down US drone

The flight restrictions are to last until June 24. Read more at straitstimes.com.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) barred flights on Feb 26 in an area around Fort Hancock, Texas, after lawmakers said a military laser-based anti-drone system was believed to have been used by the Pentagon to accidentally shoot down a US government drone.

The FAA and Pentagon did not immediately comment, but the FAA cited “special security reasons” in its notice about the restrictions on the airspace near the Mexican border.

US Representatives Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson and Andre Carson – top Democrats on committees overseeing aviation and Homeland Security issues – said in a joint statement the Pentagon reportedly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, and criticised the lack of coordination.

Congressional aides told Reuters the Pentagon was believed to have used the high-energy laser system to accidentally shoot down the CBP drone near the Mexican border, in an area that often has incursions from Mexican drones used by drug cartels. CBP and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In February, the FAA said it was halting traffic for 10 days at the airport in nearby El Paso, Texas, only to reverse course and lift its order after about eight hours. Fort Hancock is about 80 km from El Paso.

Reuters and other media reported that closure stemmed from concerns about the use of the laser-based anti-drone system and that the FAA had agreed to drop its restrictions around El Paso if the Pentagon agreed to delay further testing pending an FAA safety review.