The FAA and Department of Defense have agreed on procedures for deploying high‑energy laser counter‑drone systems at the southern border after tests at White Sands Missile Range. A joint Safety Risk Assessment concluded these systems "do not pose undue risk to passenger aircraft." The decision follows an El Paso airspace closure and a subsequent military takedown of a CBP drone about 50 miles south of the city. Agencies say they will continue coordinating to protect civil aviation.
FAA and Pentagon Greenlight High‑Energy Lasers To Down Drones At Southern Border
A file photo of drone destroyed during testing of a counter drone laser system. - United States Department of Defense
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have agreed on a coordinated approach for using high‑energy laser counter‑drone systems along the southern U.S. border. A joint, data‑informed Safety Risk Assessment found that properly controlled laser engagements "do not pose undue risk to passenger aircraft," following demonstration trials on March 7–8 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
What Happened
In February, the FAA briefly closed airspace over El Paso, Texas, after the Defense Department authorized a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) counter‑drone laser system before consulting the FAA on safety implications. That closure temporarily halted operations at El Paso International Airport for about eight hours before the restriction was lifted.
About two weeks later, U.S. military personnel used a laser system to shoot down a CBP unmanned aircraft roughly 50 miles south of El Paso. Those events prompted closer interagency testing and a formal safety review.
Agency Findings and Next Steps
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said,
"Following a thorough, data‑informed Safety Risk Assessment, we determined that these systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public."
The DoD said it will continue to coordinate with the FAA to ensure that laser operations do not interfere with passenger aircraft, flight crews, navigation equipment or air traffic control systems as deployments proceed.
What This Means
The agreement enables controlled use of high‑energy laser counter‑drone systems as part of broader efforts to counter emerging unmanned threats at the border while maintaining aviation safety. Agencies say they will keep monitoring performance, refine procedures, and share data to reduce risks and minimize disruption to civil aviation.
Reporting note: CNN's Devon Sayers contributed to this report.
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