The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) use of an anti-drone laser resulted in the temporary closure of the airspace around El Paso, Texas, as reported by The New York Times and the Associated Press. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faced challenges in assessing the risks to commercial aircraft due to the abrupt deployment of the anti-drone technology.
On Wednesday, the FAA enacted airspace restrictions around the El Paso International Airport, impacting flight operations and emergency services. Despite initially announcing a 10-day closure, the airspace reopened within hours. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the rapid response to a perceived cartel drone incursion, emphasizing the neutralization of the threat.
The use of anti-drone measures by CBP was triggered by mistaken identifications, with reports indicating that a party balloon was misinterpreted as a cartel drone. AeroVironment’s 20-kilowatt direct-energy weapon, known as LOCUST, was employed to counter drone activities. The collaboration between CBP and the Pentagon near Fort Bliss, an El Paso army base, lacked coordination with the FAA, complicating airspace management.
Legislators are seeking clarification from Trump administration officials regarding the El Paso airspace incident, underscoring the need for improved communication and protocols in deploying anti-drone technologies.
Source: The Verge