In a significant coordination failure, a U.S. military laser system accidentally destroyed a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone over West Texas. The incident, confirmed by lawmakers on February 26, 2026, has sparked a heated debate over the domestic use of high-energy weaponry and a lack of inter-agency communication.
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- The Weapon: The military used the Locust high-energy laser system, designed to neutralize unmanned aerial threats.
- The Target: A CBP surveillance drone operating near Fort Hancock, southeast of El Paso.
- The Fallout: The FAA was forced to issue emergency airspace restrictions, marking the second time in two weeks that Texas flight paths were disrupted by counter-drone activity.
A Pattern of “Incompetence”
This drone “shoot-down” follows a bizarre incident just days earlier where the same technology was reportedly used to target a party balloon, leading to the temporary closure of El Paso International Airport.
The Political Backlash
House leaders from the Transportation and Homeland Security committees have slammed the lack of oversight, citing three major concerns:
- Zero Coordination: Lawmakers allege the Pentagon, DHS, and FAA are operating in “silos,” leading to dangerous confusion in shared airspace.
- Safety Risks: The use of high-powered lasers near commercial flight paths and residential areas is being labeled “reckless.”
- Bypassed Regulations: Critics argue the administration ignored legislative warnings about deploying “high-risk” counter-drone tech without established safety protocols.
