FAA and Pentagon sign agreement allowing anti-drone laser system use near the U.S.-Mexico border

First covered Saturday, April 11, 2026Science & ClimateWell-covered

The Facts

The FAA and Pentagon said they signed an agreement allowing the government's use of a high-energy laser counter-drone system along the southern U.S. border with Mexico.
The agreement followed FAA testing in New Mexico that found proper safety controls are in place and that the system does not pose undue risks to passenger aircraft.
In late February, the U.S. military mistakenly shot down a government drone with the laser-based system, prompting the FAA to expand a flight-restricted area around Fort Hancock, Texas.
An earlier February incident involving use of the Pentagon laser system by a Homeland Security agency before completion of an FAA safety review led the FAA to halt flights at El Paso airport.
The FAA later lifted the El Paso shutdown order after only several hours, despite the original order having called for a longer flight halt.
The FAA issued a notice telling pilots to transmit aircraft location information when flying within five nautical miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Pentagon has said the U.S.-Mexico border sees more than 1,000 drone incursions per month.

Context

Why did the FAA and Pentagon sign this agreement now?

The agencies said the agreement came after FAA testing in New Mexico concluded that the laser system's safety controls are adequate and do not create undue risk for passenger aircraft U.S. News & World R…,China News,news.rthk.hk.

What incidents raised concerns before the agreement?

Sources describe two February incidents: the mistaken shootdown of a government drone near Fort Hancock, Texas, and an earlier use of the system near El Paso before the FAA safety review was completed, which led the FAA to halt flights there ThePrint,Navy Times,news.rthk.hk.

What does the FAA's notice to pilots require?

The FAA warned pilots flying within five nautical miles of the U.S.-Mexico border to use ADS-B OUT or otherwise transmit their aircraft location information; some reports also say the notice warned aircraft could be affected by U.S. counter-drone technology if they do not ThePrint,新华网,China News.

The FAA and Pentagon said they signed an agreement allowing the government's use of a high-energy laser counter-drone system along the southern U.S. border with Mexico.
The agreement followed FAA testing in New Mexico that found proper safety controls are in place and that the system does not pose undue risks to passenger aircraft.
In late February, the U.S. military mistakenly shot down a government drone with the laser-based system, prompting the FAA to expand a flight-restricted area around Fort Hancock, Texas.
An earlier February incident involving use of the Pentagon laser system by a Homeland Security agency before completion of an FAA safety review led the FAA to halt flights at El Paso airport.
The FAA later lifted the El Paso shutdown order after only several hours, despite the original order having called for a longer flight halt.
The FAA issued a notice telling pilots to transmit aircraft location information when flying within five nautical miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Pentagon has said the U.S.-Mexico border sees more than 1,000 drone incursions per month.

FAA and Pentagon sign agreement allowing anti-drone laser system use near the U.S.-Mexico border

The Facts

Context

Wire services (3)

Independent coverage (10)

The news, read by both sides.

FAA and Pentagon sign agreement allowing anti-drone laser system use near the U.S.-Mexico border

The Facts

Context

Wire services (3)

Independent coverage (10)

The news, read by both sides.