FAA Deems Anti-Drone Lasers Safe for Flights After Texas Airspace Closures

New agreement outlines safety precautions for using counter-drone technology near airports.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:26am

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A cinematic painting depicting a solitary anti-drone laser device in the foreground, its metallic surface reflecting the warm, golden light of the sun. The device is set against a hazy, urban skyline in the background, creating a sense of quiet contemplation and the tension between emerging technology and the need for aviation safety.As the use of anti-drone technology expands, the FAA works to ensure the safety of air travel by establishing new protocols for the deployment of counter-drone lasers near airports.White Sands Today

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that anti-drone lasers used by the U.S. military and Homeland Security near the southern border are safe for flights, following a review prompted by airspace closures in Texas earlier this year. The FAA and Defense Department have signed an agreement outlining safety protocols for using these lasers to combat cartel drones, though the specific details have not been made public.

Why it matters

The use of anti-drone lasers has caused disruptions at airports, with the FAA closing airspace around the El Paso airport for several hours in February after another agency used a counter-drone laser without notifying the aviation regulator. This raised concerns about the safety of these technologies and their potential impact on air travel. The new agreement aims to address these issues and allow the continued use of these tools to combat the growing threat of cartel drones along the border.

The details

The FAA review was prompted by two incidents in February where the airspace around airports in Texas was closed due to the use of anti-drone lasers. In the first case, the FAA closed the airspace around El Paso after another agency used a counter-drone laser without notifying the aviation regulator. In the second incident, the military used a laser to shoot down a drone that turned out to belong to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, leading to a more limited airspace closure around Fort Hancock. A demonstration of the lasers at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico convinced the FAA that they can be used safely with the proper protocols in place.

  • In early February, the FAA closed the airspace around the El Paso airport for several hours after another agency used a counter-drone laser without notifying the aviation safety regulator.
  • On February 26, the military used a laser to shoot down a 'seemingly threatening' drone flying near the U.S.-Mexico border, which turned out to belong to Customs and Border Protection, leading the FAA to close the airspace around Fort Hancock.
  • Last month, a demonstration of the lasers at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico convinced the FAA that they can be used safely.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

U.S. Department of Defense

The executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the U.S. Armed Forces.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

A federal law enforcement agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws.

Bryan Bedford

The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Matt Ross

A U.S. Army Brigadier General.

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What they’re saying

“We will continue working with our interagency partners to ensure the National Airspace System remains safe while addressing emerging drone threats.”

— Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator

“By working hand-in-hand with the FAA and our interagency partners, the Department of War is proving that these cutting-edge capabilities are safe, effective, and ready to protect all air travelers from illicit drone use in the national airspace.”

— Matt Ross, U.S. Army Brigadier General

What’s next

The FAA has not yet held a briefing for Congress, and Democratic senators who raised questions after the anti-drone laser uses in February say they need detailed answers before they can be sure the lasers are safe.

The takeaway

The agreement between the FAA and the Department of Defense aims to address the safety concerns raised by the use of anti-drone lasers near airports, which caused disruptions to air travel earlier this year. While the specific safety protocols have not been made public, the FAA's review and demonstration at White Sands have convinced the agency that these technologies can be used safely with the proper precautions in place.