News|AviationSecond US drone laser incident this month prompts Texas airspace closureLawmakers criticise mismanagement after El Paso airspace closure following military’s anti-drone laser deployment.
## Military Use of Laser Against Drone Incident
Military Use of Laser Against Drone Incident
The United States military employed a laser to neutralize a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expand restricted airspace near El Paso, Texas. This marks the second laser deployment in the area within two weeks. The military is obligated to inform the FAA of any counter-drone actions within U.S. airspace.
An earlier laser deployment, conducted by the CBP near Fort Bliss, did not hit its target. This led to an FAA-initiated airspace closure affecting El Paso Airport and surrounding areas. The recent airspace closure was more limited, with no impact on commercial flights.
Government Statement on Anti-Drone Laser
The Pentagon, FAA, and CBP released a joint statement indicating that the military used a "counter-unmanned aircraft system" to address a perceived threat posed by an unmanned aerial system in military airspace. The incident occurred away from populated areas, with no commercial aircraft nearby. The agencies continue to work towards improving cooperation and communication to prevent future incidents.
The statement further emphasized efforts to counter drone threats at the U.S.-Mexico border, citing collaboration among the Department of War, FAA, and CBP.
The military is obligated to inform the FAA of any counter-drone actions within U.S.
The previous airspace shutdown in El Paso, two weeks prior, lasted a few hours and resulted in several flight cancellations. In that instance, CBP's laser deployment near Fort Bliss occurred without FAA coordination, leading the FAA to close El Paso's airspace for commercial air safety.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plans to brief Congress on the incident, asserting that the FAA's decision to close the airspace was justified and not due to communication issues.
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a key figure on the Senate's Aviation Subcommittee, has called for independent investigations into the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board had previously identified coordination issues between the FAA and the Pentagon following a midair collision near Washington, DC, highlighting the need for improved data sharing and risk management.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.