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The government’s ability to counter drone threats on U.S. soil came into question this week after an incident near the Texas-Mexico border led to the temporary closure of El Paso’s airspace, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The Federal Aviation Administration abruptly shut down the busy El Paso airport on Wednesday following the deployment of an anti-drone laser system by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Sources who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity revealed that the laser was deployed without proper coordination with the FAA, raising serious concerns about the safety of commercial aircraft in the area.
Initial restrictions were expected to last 10 days but were lifted within hours. The incident resulted in the cancellation of more than a dozen flights, causing significant disruption for travelers.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged communication problems on Friday, stating that the government agencies involved “are working to address the concerns” that led to the airport closure.
“This was a joint agency task force mission that was undertaken and we’re continuing to work on the communication through that,” Noem said during a visit to Arizona.
The El Paso incident highlights potential gaps in the nation’s drone defense strategy, particularly significant given that Congress expanded counter-drone authorities just two months ago. The legislation granted additional law enforcement agencies the power to neutralize rogue drones, provided they receive proper training. Previously, only a select group of federal agencies possessed this authority.
Brett Velicovich, a drone warfare expert and founder of drone manufacturer Power.us, expressed serious concerns about the apparent interagency dysfunction. “We need to simplify the authorities for who is really in charge and get these egos out of the way from these different agencies before an American gets hurt,” said Velicovich, who also consults on drone threat mitigation strategies.
The threat posed by drones has grown significantly in recent years. Mexican drug cartels routinely employ drones to transport narcotics across the border and conduct surveillance on Border Patrol officers. According to official testimony to Congress, more than 27,000 drone incursions were detected within 1,600 feet of the southern border during the last six months of 2024 alone.
The global threat landscape has also evolved rapidly. Armed drones now execute devastating attacks daily in Ukraine and have enabled Ukrainian forces to strike deep inside Russian territory. Velicovich, who previously operated military Predator drones, warned that malicious actors could easily purchase consumer drones for a few hundred dollars to cause significant harm at major public events.
Recognizing these risks, the federal government recently distributed $250 million in grants to the 11 states hosting upcoming World Cup matches to enhance their drone defense capabilities. An additional $250 million in grants is scheduled for distribution later this year to further strengthen national drone security measures.
The increasing presence of drones also poses a growing threat to aviation safety. With an estimated 1.7 million registered drones currently flying in the United States, near-misses with aircraft have become more frequent. While larger drones must carry transponders that identify their owners and broadcast their positions, smaller consumer models often lack such safety features.
Private sector solutions are emerging to address these challenges. Detroit-based Airspace Link has developed a low-altitude air traffic control system to track drones and alert authorities to potential threats. “We don’t want something to happen,” said CEO Michael Healander. “But we also want to be prepared to have the tools in place to take action, because these are such big global events.”
Counter-drone systems employ various technologies, including radio jamming, high-powered microwaves, laser beams, kinetic interceptors, and even conventional firearms. Michael Robbins, president of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, noted that while such systems are more common in warzones, the government is working to deploy them domestically.
“It’s our belief that this is important technology that when responsibly used with proper oversight and intensive training will help to mitigate unsafe or malicious drones in the very rare instances where that needs to occur,” Robbins said.
For commercial pilots, the threat posed by drones remains a significant concern. Captain Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association union, expressed uncertainty about the risks associated with counter-drone technology but emphasized the greater danger of aircraft colliding with drones.
“You don’t have to be a pilot, an engineer or a defense expert to understand that two pieces of metal in the sky that one doesn’t know the other is there and is uncontrolled is dangerous,” Tajer said. “We’ve got to keep those two pieces of metal away from each other.”
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16 Comments
The temporary closure of the El Paso airport due to counter-drone technology is concerning. While protecting against drone threats is important, it should not come at the cost of disrupting critical air travel infrastructure. I hope the agencies involved can learn from this incident and work to improve coordination and communication to prevent future airspace closures.
Absolutely. Airspace security and aviation safety have to be carefully balanced. Uncoordinated deployment of new counter-drone tech is risky and can cause significant disruptions. Hopefully this leads to better protocols and information-sharing between the relevant agencies.
This incident highlights the challenges of balancing drone security with aviation safety. While counter-drone measures are important, they need to be implemented carefully and with full coordination across agencies. I hope they can find ways to improve response time without creating dangerous airspace disruptions.
Agreed. Protecting airspace is critical, but it has to be done in a way that doesn’t compromise commercial flight operations. Hopefully they can find the right balance through better planning and communication.
The temporary closure of the El Paso airport due to counter-drone measures is a stark reminder of the complex challenges in securing airspace. While protecting against drone threats is crucial, it must be balanced with maintaining safe commercial flight operations. I hope the agencies involved can learn from this incident and improve coordination going forward.
Agreed. This highlights the need for clear protocols and communication channels between agencies responsible for airspace security and air traffic control. Effective counter-drone tech is important, but not at the expense of disrupting essential air travel.
The use of counter-drone laser technology that triggered the El Paso airspace closure is concerning. While I understand the need to address drone threats, the lack of coordination with the FAA is troubling. Hopefully this incident will lead to better protocols and communication between the agencies involved to prevent future disruptions.
Absolutely. Airspace safety should be the top priority, so any new security measures need to be implemented in a way that doesn’t jeopardize commercial flights. Proper planning and interagency collaboration is crucial here.
This sounds like a complex situation with no easy solutions. On one hand, the government needs effective counter-drone technology to protect sensitive airspace. But on the other, any disruptions to commercial air travel can have huge economic and logistical impacts. I hope the agencies involved can find a way to strike the right balance through improved coordination and procedures.
Agreed, it’s a delicate balance. Securing airspace is vital, but not at the expense of major flight disruptions. Hopefully this incident prompts a thorough review of protocols and leads to better integration of counter-drone measures with FAA operations.
The deployment of counter-drone technology without proper FAA coordination is concerning. Airspace safety should be the top priority. I wonder what led to the decision to use the laser system in that situation and if there were any other options available.
Good point. Proper procedures and communication channels need to be in place when deploying new security tech that could impact air traffic. Hopefully lessons learned here lead to better protocols going forward.
Interesting to learn about the counter-drone tech that caused the El Paso airspace closure. Sounds like there were some coordination issues between agencies that need to be addressed. I’m curious to hear more about the specifics of the laser system and how it interacts with commercial aircraft safety.
Yes, communication breakdown between agencies seems to be the root cause here. Hopefully they can improve coordination and protocols to avoid future airspace disruptions.
Sounds like a concerning situation with the El Paso airspace closure. Uncoordinated use of counter-drone tech is risky and can lead to major disruptions. I’m curious to learn more about the specific laser system used and what factors led to the decision to deploy it without proper FAA coordination.
Yes, transparency around the technology and decision-making process is important here. Hopefully the agencies involved can provide more details and assure the public that aviation safety protocols are being properly followed.