Pentagon and FAA agree to conduct anti-drone laser tests in New Mexico
Source: AP
Updated 10:24 PM EDT, March 7, 2026
The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration agreed to conduct anti-drone laser tests in New Mexico after the military’s deployment of the lasers led the FAA to suddenly close airspace in Texas twice in the last month.
The newly announced testing was being carried out to “specifically address FAA safety concerns,” the military said Friday in a statement. It was to take place Saturday and Sunday at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Lawmakers were concerned about an apparent lack of coordination after the Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser in early February without notifying the FAA. The federal agency that ensures safety in the skies decided to close the airspace over El Paso for a few hours, stranding many travelers.
The Trump administration said it was working to halt an incursion by Mexican cartel drones, which are not uncommon along the southern border. On Feb. 26 the U.S. military used the laser to shoot down a “seemingly threatening” drone flying near the U.S.-Mexico border. It turned out the drone belonged to Customs and Border Protection, lawmakers said.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-drone-border-faa-laser-test-b01718e0256740b81f4eee949766f7f2
REFERENCES
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143614878
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143615083
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143615129
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143615887
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143622859
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