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Pentagon Fires Laser at Drone, Prompting Airspace Closure
Incident raises concerns over communication breakdown among government agencies on use of high-energy lasers.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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The Defense Department used a high-energy laser to shoot down a drone belonging to the Department of Homeland Security over a small border town near El Paso, Texas, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily close the airspace nearby. This incident follows a similar episode earlier this month where Customs and Border Protection officials fired a high-energy laser at what they thought was a drone, but turned out to be a metallic balloon, also leading to an airspace closure.
Why it matters
The use of high-energy lasers by various government agencies to combat drones near the U.S.-Mexico border has raised concerns over communication breakdowns and potential violations of aviation safety laws. This latest incident adds to the scrutiny over the coordination and oversight of these counter-drone operations.
The details
In the latest incident, the Pentagon fired a high-energy laser at a Homeland Security drone without notifying the FAA, which is required by law. This led the FAA to temporarily close the airspace above Fort Hancock, Texas. A similar incident occurred earlier this month when Customs and Border Protection officials used a high-energy laser, on loan from the military, to shoot down what they thought was a drone but turned out to be a metallic balloon, also prompting an airspace closure.
- On February 26, 2026, the Pentagon used a high-energy laser to shoot down a Homeland Security drone over Fort Hancock, Texas.
- Earlier in February 2026, Customs and Border Protection officials used a high-energy laser to shoot down what they thought was a drone, but turned out to be a metallic balloon, near El Paso, Texas.
The players
Department of Defense
The U.S. federal executive department responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the United States Armed Forces.
Department of Homeland Security
The U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, encompassing immigration, border security, customs, disaster response, and other security-related functions.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The agency of the United States Department of Transportation with authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the United States.
Mark R. Ditlevson
A Pentagon official who was pressed by lawmakers to explain why the Defense Department allowed high-energy lasers to be shot in El Paso airspace earlier this month over the objections of the FAA.
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.
What they’re saying
“The Department of War always cares about safety, and we want to defend this country and defend Americans, we don't want to ever do anything that would be unsafe.”
— Mark R. Ditlevson, Pentagon Official (The New York Times)
“The coordination failed.”
— Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island (The New York Times)
“Our heads are exploding.”
— Representatives Rick Larsen, Andre Carson, and Bennie G. Thompson, Top Democrats on aviation and homeland security panels (The New York Times)
“The Trump administration's incompetence continues to cause chaos in our skies.”
— Senator Tammy Duckworth, Top Democrat on Senate aviation subcommittee (The New York Times)
What’s next
Senator Tammy Duckworth said she would ask for the inspectors general at the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Transportation to begin a joint investigation into both of the high-energy laser incidents that prompted the FAA to shutdown airspace near El Paso and Fort Hancock.
The takeaway
The use of high-energy lasers by various government agencies to combat drones near the U.S.-Mexico border has raised serious concerns over communication breakdowns and potential violations of aviation safety laws. This latest incident highlights the need for improved coordination and oversight of these counter-drone operations to ensure the safety of civilian air travel.
