"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."
"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 military is required to formally notify the FAA when it takes any counter-drone action inside U.S. airspace. Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the ranking member on the Senate's Aviation Subcommittee, called previously for an independent investigation after the two February incidents."
The Pentagon and Federal Aviation Administration established a joint testing program for anti-drone lasers at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico following coordination failures in February. The military deployed lasers to counter Mexican cartel drones at the southern border without notifying the FAA, resulting in two airspace closures near El Paso that stranded travelers. One incident involved the military shooting down a drone that belonged to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The new testing addresses FAA safety concerns and establishes proper coordination protocols. Lawmakers, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, expressed concern about the lack of interagency communication and called for independent investigation into the February incidents.
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