Pentagon Reportedly Authorized Anti-Drone Laser Use by CBP Prior to El Paso Airspace Closure
The Department of Defense reportedly granted authorization for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to utilize anti-drone laser technology along the southern border, according to sources cited by the Associated Press. This authorization is said to have occurred shortly before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary closure of the airspace over El Paso, Texas.
The disclosure provides new context regarding recent operational shifts in border security and airspace management. According to the reports, the Pentagon approved the request from federal border agents to deploy directed-energy weapons designed to disable or deter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The timing of this approval indicates a correlation between the introduction of these counter-drone measures and the FAA’s subsequent decision to restrict air traffic in the vicinity to ensure the safety of civilian aviation.
The use of such technology comes amidst ongoing reports of increased drone activity along the U.S.-Mexico border. Border enforcement officials have noted that transnational criminal organizations utilize small, unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance on law enforcement movements and to assist in smuggling operations. The deployment of laser systems marks a technological escalation in efforts to counter these aerial incursions.
The integration of military-grade defense systems within domestic airspace presents specific logistical and safety challenges. High-energy lasers can pose significant hazards to pilots and sensitive instrumentation on commercial and private aircraft. Consequently, the FAA’s airspace restrictions function as a necessary safety protocol to prevent accidental interference with passing flights while counter-drone operations are potentially active.
This incident highlights the deepening operational coordination between the Department of Defense and domestic security agencies regarding border enforcement. As the use of drones by non-state actors continues to evolve, U.S. authorities are adapting their defensive capabilities, necessitating careful management of the national airspace system to balance security objectives with public safety.
