US Military Accidentally Shoots Down Border Protection Drone With Laser

Source: Slashdot

Incident Overview

An anonymous reader quoted a report from the Associated Press: the U.S. military used a laser on Thursday to shoot down a “seemingly threatening” drone flying near the U.S.–Mexico border. It later emerged that the drone belonged to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to lawmakers. The mistaken‑identity incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to close additional airspace around Fort Hancock, about 50 mi (80 km) southeast of El Paso. The military is required to formally notify the FAA when it takes any counter‑drone action inside U.S. airspace.

Previous Incident

This was the second laser engagement in the area within two weeks. The first incident involved CBP using the weapon, but nothing was hit. That earlier event occurred near Fort Bliss and led the FAA to shut down air traffic at El Paso airport and the surrounding area. In the recent case, the closure was smaller and commercial flights were not affected.

Official Statements

The FAA, CBP, and the Pentagon confirmed the incident in a joint statement, saying the military “employed counter‑unmanned aircraft system authorities to mitigate a seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace.”

“At President Trump’s direction, the Department of War, FAA, and Customs and Border Patrol are working together in an unprecedented fashion to mitigate drone threats by Mexican cartels and foreign terrorist organizations at the U.S.–Mexico Border,” the statement read.

The report notes that 27,000 drones were detected within 1,600 ft of the southern border in the last six months of 2024.

Political Reaction

Illinois Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, ranking member of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, is calling for an independent investigation into the matter.

“The Trump administration’s incompetence continues to cause chaos in our skies,” Duckworth said.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.