Second US drone laser incident this month prompts Texas airspace closure

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Briefing Summary

AI-generated

NEWSAR · AI

The US military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone near Fort Bliss, Texas, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to close airspace over El Paso. This is the second time in two weeks that a laser has been fired in the area. The earlier incident did not hit a target, while this one was carried out by CBP and resulted in a smaller airspace closure with no commercial flights affected. Lawmakers criticized the Trump administration for "sidestepping" a bipartisan bill to train drone operators and improve communication among agencies. The Pentagon, FAA, and Customs and Border Protection defended the use of the anti-drone laser as a necessary measure to mitigate a perceived threat within military airspace. The incident occurred on February 27, 2026.

Confidence 0.90Sources 4Claims 5Entities 9

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Article analysis

Model · rule-based

Framing

National Security

Political Strategy

Tone

Measured

AI-assessed

CalmNeutralAlarmist

Factuality

0.70 / 1.00

Factual

LowHigh

Sources cited

4

Well sourced

FewMany

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Key claims

5 extracted

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The military used a “counter-unmanned aircraft system … to mitigate a seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace”.

quoteThe Pentagon, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Customs and Border Protection

Confidence

1.00

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Lawmakers criticised the Trump administration for 'sidestepping' a bipartisan bill.

quoteUS Representative Rick Larsen and two other top Democrats

Confidence

1.00

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It is the second time in two weeks that a laser has been fired in the area.

factual

Confidence

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The FAA closed more airspace near El Paso, Texas, after the laser deployment.

factual

Confidence

1.00

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The United States military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone.

factualmembers of Congress

Confidence

0.90

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Full report

2 min read · 304 words

Lawmakers criticise mismanagement after El Paso airspace closure following military’s anti-drone laser deployment.Published On 27 Feb 2026The United States military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, members of Congress said, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso, Texas.It is not clear why the laser was deployed, but it is the second time in two weeks that one has been fired in the area. The military is required to formally notify the FAA anytime it takes any counter-drone action inside US airspace.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Are lasers the future of anti-drone warfare?list 2 of 3US reopens airspace over El Paso after claim of cartel drone infiltrationlist 3 of 3Why was El Paso airspace shut down? Drones, security fears and confusionend of listThe earlier laser firing did not hit a target. It was carried out by the CBP near Fort Bliss, about 80km (50 miles) to the northwest, prompting the FAA to shut down air traffic at El Paso airport and the surrounding area. This time, the closure was smaller and commercial flights were not affected.US Representative Rick Larsen and two other top Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security committees said they were stunned when they were officially notified.“Our heads are exploding over the news,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. They criticised the Trump administration for “sidestepping” a bipartisan bill to train drone operators and improve communication among the Pentagon, FAA and Department of Homeland Security.“Now, we’re seeing the result of its incompetence,” they said.Government defends use of anti-drone laserThe Pentagon, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Customs and Border Protection issued a statement saying the military used a “counter-unmanned aircraft system … to mitigate a seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace”.

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