FAA closes airspace in Fort Hancock, Texas after reported accidental use of anti-drone laser
#FAA airspace closure #Anti-drone laser system #Pentagon drone incident #Fort Hancock Texas #Customs and Border Protection #Military coordination #Border security technology
📌 Key Takeaways
- FAA closed airspace in Fort Hancock after Pentagon's anti-drone system accidentally shot down a government drone
- Lawmakers criticized lack of coordination between FAA and Pentagon
- This follows similar airspace concerns in El Paso in February over the same anti-drone technology
- Flight restrictions are scheduled to last until June 24 with exceptions for emergency flights
📖 Full Retelling
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily closed airspace in Fort Hancock, Texas on Thursday after a military laser-based anti-drone system operated by the Pentagon accidentally shot down a U.S. Customs and Border Protection drone near the Mexican border. The FAA cited 'special security reasons' in its notice about the flight restrictions, while top Democratic lawmakers including Representatives Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson and Andre Carson criticized the lack of coordination between agencies. Congressional aides told Reuters that the Pentagon was believed to have used a high-energy laser system to accidentally bring down the CBP drone in an area frequently experiencing incursions from Mexican drones operated by drug cartels. This incident follows similar airspace concerns in February when the FAA initially halted air traffic for 10 days at the airport in nearby El Paso, Texas, only to reverse course after about eight hours. Reuters reported that the El Paso closure stemmed from concerns about the same laser-based anti-drone system, with the FAA agreeing to drop restrictions if the Pentagon delayed further testing pending an FAA safety review.
🏷️ Themes
Aviation Safety, Military Technology, Border Security
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Customs and Border Protection
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Original Source
The Federal Aviation Administration barred flights on Thursday 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 U.S. 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. U.S. 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 criticized 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 50 miles (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. Aides said there was a lack of coordination between the FAA and the Pentagon. The government informed congressional offices about the El Paso closure as well as the Fort Hancock incident late on Thursday. The FAA notice barred all flights in the Fort Hancock area but said air ambulance or search and rescue flights can be authorized with the Joint Task Force-Southern Border. The flight restrictions are to last until June 24. Subscribe to CNBC PRO Subscribe to Inve...
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