Airspace Shutdown Highlights Risks of Anti-Drone Weapons

Concerns over military counter-drone tech use in civilian airspace lead to temporary El Paso airport closure.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The sudden, unexpected shutdown of the airspace over El Paso on Tuesday night has highlighted the challenges of using military-grade anti-drone weapons in crowded civilian airspace. While the U.S. has rapidly built up an arsenal of systems to shoot down drones, including lasers, missiles, and microwave zappers, it remains unclear how these can be safely deployed near airports and other areas with heavy air traffic.

Why it matters

The incident in El Paso demonstrates the growing threat posed by drones, particularly near military bases and other sensitive sites, and the need to develop effective counter-drone technologies. However, the use of these powerful anti-drone weapons in civilian airspace raises serious safety concerns that must be addressed to prevent potential disasters.

The details

According to reports, the Federal Aviation Administration suddenly closed the airspace over El Paso on Tuesday night, with conflicting accounts on the cause. The Trump administration claimed it was due to a drone incursion from Mexican drug cartels, while others said it was prompted by the use of new military counter-drone technology and concerns about the risks it could pose to other aircraft. The military has made rapid progress on anti-drone weapons, but has struggled to figure out safe procedures for using them in crowded civilian airspace, where they could interfere with commercial flights.

  • The airspace over El Paso was closed from around 11:30 PM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 to 7 AM on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The U.S. military has been building an arsenal of anti-drone weapons, including lasers, missiles, and microwave systems, over the past decade in response to threats from groups like ISIS.

The players

Stacie Pettyjohn

A drone expert at the Center for a New American Security who warned about the dangers of using military counter-drone technologies in civilian airspace.

Federal Aviation Administration

The U.S. government agency that oversees and regulates civil aviation, which ordered the temporary shutdown of the airspace over El Paso.

U.S. Military

Has rapidly developed an array of anti-drone weapons, including lasers, missiles, and microwave systems, to protect against threats from drones.

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What they’re saying

“You shoot a laser at a drone, it could travel a long way and could hit another aircraft.”

— Stacie Pettyjohn, Drone Expert (New York Times)

“Even seemingly benign defenses like radio jammers, designed to block GPS navigation signals or cut communication links between a drone and its controller, could be extremely dangerous if they interfere with the controls of a commercial airliner.”

— Stacie Pettyjohn, Drone Expert (New York Times)

What’s next

Experts say the U.S. military and civilian aviation authorities will need to work closely together to develop clear protocols and safety procedures for using anti-drone weapons in areas with heavy air traffic, in order to prevent potential disasters.

The takeaway

The incident in El Paso highlights the growing threat posed by drones and the need for effective counter-drone technologies, but also the significant safety risks of deploying these powerful military weapons in civilian airspace. Addressing this challenge will require close coordination between the military and civilian agencies to ensure the protection of both national security and public safety.