A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone was shot down by the U.S. military using a laser weapon near the U.S.-Mexico border in southwest Texas. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, led to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expanding airspace restrictions in the vicinity of Fort Hancock. This marks the second such laser-related event in the region within two weeks, prompting expressions of concern among lawmakers regarding inter-agency coordination and drone operations.
Incident Details
The U.S. military deployed a laser to disable the CBP drone near Fort Hancock, approximately 50 miles southeast of El Paso. A joint statement from the Defense Department, CBP, and the FAA confirmed the action.
The military "employed counter-unmanned aircraft system authorities to mitigate a seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace."
The statement further clarified that the action took place in an unpopulated area, with no commercial aircraft present. In response to the incident, the FAA expanded a temporary flight restriction (TFR) around Fort Hancock, citing "Special Security Reasons." Commercial flights were not impacted by this specific closure.
Previous Incidents and Coordination Concerns
This event is the second laser-related incident to prompt airspace restrictions in the area this month. Approximately two weeks prior, on February 11, a CBP laser was deployed near Fort Bliss, located about 50 miles northwest of El Paso. This earlier incident, which reportedly missed its target, resulted in the temporary shutdown of air traffic at El Paso airport and surrounding areas due to a reported lack of coordination with the FAA. White House officials later stated that Mexican cartel drones breaching U.S. airspace had triggered the initial closure in El Paso.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns regarding inter-agency communication following these incidents. U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen, André Carson, and Bennie Thompson, all members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, cited a lack of coordination between agencies. They also stated that the administration had "sidestepped" or not implemented a bipartisan bill designed to enhance communication among the Pentagon, FAA, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and to improve the training of drone operators.
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a ranking member of the Senate's Aviation Subcommittee, called for an independent investigation into the matter, referencing previous challenges in government coordination. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that he would brief members of Congress on the situation and stated that the FAA's decision to close airspace in El Paso was not a mistake, suggesting it was not primarily a communication issue.
Military entities are required to notify the FAA of any counter-drone actions within U.S. airspace. Past incidents, including a 2023 midair collision near Washington, D.C., have previously highlighted deficiencies in safety data sharing and risk assessment between the FAA and the U.S. Army.
Broader Context on Drone Threats
Concerns regarding drone threats are escalating, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Mexican cartels reportedly use drones for drug delivery and surveillance of Border Patrol officers.
Officials reported over 27,000 drone detections within 1,600 feet of the southern border in the latter half of 2024. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that over 1.7 million registered drones operate in the U.S., contributing to an increasing number of near-miss incidents around airports.
Congress recently expanded the authority for various law enforcement agencies, including some state and local departments, to neutralize unauthorized drones, provided their operators are properly trained. Anti-drone systems employ a range of technologies, including:
- Radio signal jamming
- High-powered microwaves
- Laser beams
- Interceptor drones
- Projectile systems