FORT HANCOCK, Texas — The U.S. Military employed a laser Thursday to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, according to members of Congress. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded by expanding airspace restrictions near El Paso.
Airspace Closures and Congressional Response
This incident follows a similar event just over two weeks ago, when the FAA shut down the El Paso airport and surrounding airspace following another use of an anti-drone laser. However, the expanded airspace closure over Fort Hancock this time is not impacting commercial flights.
Representative Rick Larsen, along with other top Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee, stated they were informed through official channels. “Our heads are exploding over the news that DoD reportedly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone using a high risk counter-unmanned aircraft system,” Larsen and the other representatives wrote. They further asserted that the White House’s earlier decision to bypass a bipartisan bill focused on training counter-drone operators and improving coordination between the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FAA was “a short-sighted idea,” and that this incident is “the result of its incompetence.”
The Defense Department and Transportation Department directed inquiries to the FAA, which confirmed it had expanded the airspace closure around Fort Hancock. Customs and Border Protection has not yet responded to questions regarding the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Fort Hancock, Texas?
The U.S. Military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, according to members of Congress.
How did the FAA respond?
The FAA expanded airspace restrictions near El Paso, specifically over Fort Hancock, in response to the incident.
What did lawmakers say about the incident?
Representative Rick Larsen and other Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee criticized the White House’s decision to sidestep a bipartisan bill aimed at improving coordination and training for counter-drone operations, calling it “incompetence.”
What implications might this incident have for future drone operations and airspace management?
Worth a look