The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a temporary flight restriction over Texas following an incident in which a US military laser weapon mistakenly shot down a drone operated by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The event unfolded near Fort Hancock, Texas, close to the US-Mexico border, where military officials identified the CBP drone as a potential threat after it entered military airspace without prior notification.
The drone incident marks the second time in recent weeks that airspace restrictions were enacted in Texas due to military operations involving directed-energy weapons. The latest occurrence has raised significant concerns regarding communication protocols between federal agencies.
Incident Details and Response
According to a joint statement from the Pentagon, CBP, and FAA, the military deployed the LOCUST (Laser-Oriented Counter-UAS System) after classifying the drone as a “seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system.” The FAA quickly closed the airspace over Fort Hancock, issuing a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) set to last until June 24, 2026. The agencies confirmed that no commercial aircraft were present at the time of the incident.
The unintentional downing of the drone has been attributed primarily to a lack of communication from the CBP regarding its operational activities. This oversight led the military to treat the drone as an unidentified aircraft, potentially linked to drug cartel activities, which are prevalent in that area.
This event echoes a previous incident on February 10, 2023, when the FAA briefly closed airspace around El Paso. In that case, military personnel also deployed a laser system, which was later found to have targeted a metallic balloon rather than a drone. The FAA had not been informed prior to that engagement, prompting a rapid response to restrict airspace.
Calls for Investigation and Safety Concerns
The recent mishap has sparked outrage among lawmakers, including Democrats Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and André Carson, who expressed their discontent over the situation, stating their “heads are exploding over the news.” They have called for an investigation into the protocols surrounding the use of military laser systems and their potential risks.
While the Pentagon and FAA have assured that no commercial flights were endangered during the incident, there are ongoing concerns about collateral damage and the safety of using such technology in civilian airspace. As a precaution, the FAA is seeking to prohibit further testing of the LOCUST system until a comprehensive safety review can be completed.
The Fort Hancock area is known as a hotspot for cartel activities, particularly those involving drug smuggling operations conducted by the Sinaloa Cartel. In light of the repeated incidents involving the LOCUST system, the Pentagon, FAA, and CBP have committed to enhancing cooperation and communication to prevent future misunderstandings.
As federal agencies navigate the complexities of drone operations and airspace safety, the implications of these incidents extend beyond the immediate concerns of security and safety. They highlight the critical need for streamlined communication to ensure that both military and civilian operations can coexist without jeopardizing public safety.