Military Shoots Down Customs Drone in Texas Airspace

Second such incident in two weeks raises concerns over communication breakdown between agencies

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone in Texas, forcing the closure of airspace near El Paso. This is the second such incident in two weeks in the area, highlighting a breakdown in communication between the military and the Federal Aviation Administration over counter-drone activities.

Why it matters

The use of military lasers to take down government drones within U.S. airspace raises concerns about coordination and communication between federal agencies responsible for national security and aviation safety. Repeated airspace shutdowns due to these incidents disrupt commercial flights and raise questions about the military's protocols for engaging drones.

The details

In the latest incident, the military used a counter-unmanned aircraft system to mitigate a seemingly threatening drone operated by Customs and Border Protection within military airspace. This led to the FAA shutting down airspace over the border town of Fort Hancock, Texas, though the restricted area was smaller than the 20-mile radius imposed during a similar incident two weeks earlier near El Paso.

  • The latest incident occurred on an unspecified date, though it was reported to Congress yesterday.
  • A similar incident took place two weeks ago near El Paso.

The players

U.S. Military

The branch of the U.S. armed forces responsible for the use of the counter-drone laser that shot down the Customs and Border Protection drone.

Customs and Border Protection

The federal law enforcement agency that operated the drone that was shot down by the military.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing U.S. airspace, which was forced to shut down airspace near the incident.

Congressional Democrats

Members of Congress, including the top Democrat on the committee overseeing Homeland Security and Transportation, who were informed of the incident through official channels.

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What’s next

Congress has called for the military to brief them officially on both the latest incident and the previous El Paso incident two weeks ago, in order to understand the breakdown in communication between government agencies over counter-drone activities.

The takeaway

These back-to-back incidents involving the military shooting down government drones within U.S. airspace highlight the need for better coordination and communication protocols between federal agencies responsible for national security and aviation safety. Repeated airspace shutdowns due to these events disrupt commercial flights and raise broader questions about the military's use of counter-drone technology near populated areas.