FAA Restricts Texas Airspace After U.S. Military Laser Downs CBP Drone Near Mexico Border
Federal authorities restricted a swath of Texas airspace near the Mexico border after U.S. military forces reportedly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone with a laser-based counter-drone system, triggering renewed flight restrictions that now extend through late June.
The incident raises fresh concerns about coordination between key government agencies and comes just weeks after another abrupt FAA airspace closure in the same region.
According to congressional aides and multiple national news outlets, the Defense Department engaged the CBP drone near Fort Hancock, Texas, using a high-energy anti-drone system it deployed in military airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration cited “special security reasons” in a Notice to Air Missions and expanded temporary flight restrictions around the area — though officials said commercial flights are not affected due to its location.
Related: FAA Abruptly Shuts Down El Paso Airspace for 10 Days, Citing “Special Security Reasons”
A joint statement from the Pentagon, FAA and Customs and Border Protection described the shoot-down as a defensive action against a “seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace” and said all agencies are working to improve cooperation and communication.
“Our heads are exploding over the news that DoD reportedly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone,” said Rep. Rick Larsen, highlighting the frustration from lawmakers over interagency coordination.
The broader significance is escalating scrutiny over the use of experimental anti-drone technology domestically and the apparent lack of synchronized protocols between the FAA, Department of Defense and Homeland Security. Previous airspace disruptions earlier this month were tied to similar laser engagements and sparked cancellations and safety concerns at El Paso International Airport.
Agencies have not released detailed technical or tactical explanations about the systems used or how CBP’s drone came to be engaged, leaving questions about procedural safeguards and future domestic use of military counter-drone capabilities. Lawmakers are pushing for briefings and oversight as the situation develops.
Related: El Paso Flights Grounded Hours After Pentagon Shoots “Drone” That Was Just a Party Balloon