The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration have agreed to conduct anti-drone laser tests in New Mexico following two instances in the past month where the military’s deployment of such lasers prompted the FAA to abruptly close airspace over Texas.
The testing, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the White Sands Missile Range, aims to “specifically address FAA safety concerns,” the military said in a statement Friday.
The agreement comes after lawmakers raised concerns about an apparent lack of coordination between agencies. In early February, the Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to deploy an anti-drone laser without notifying the FAA in advance.
The federal aviation agency subsequently closed the airspace over El Paso for several hours as a safety precaution, stranding numerous travelers.
The Trump administration has said it is working to halt incursions by Mexican cartel drones, which have become increasingly common along the southern border.
The tests at White Sands are expected to help establish protocols that allow for counter-drone operations without disrupting commercial aviation.
By James Kisoo
