US Military Downs CBP Drone Over Texas
The U.S. military has downed a Customs and Border Protection drone over Texas, leading to a temporary closure of the state's airspace. While details about the incident remain scarce, lawmakers report it has sparked a debate over border security protocols and the use of unmanned aerial systems in domestic airspace.
The downing occurred over Fort Hancock, Texas, a community directly on the U.S.-Mexico border. A laser weapon system operated by the Department of Defense was used to bring down the Customs and Border Protection drone. Officials stated the engagement took place away from populated areas, and no commercial aircraft were in the vicinity at the time. A preliminary internal report suggests CBP may not have notified the Defense Department about its drone flight in the area. The military reportedly perceived the drone as a potential threat, describing it as a "seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace." This is the second time in a month that counter-drone measures have disrupted airspace in the region. Earlier in February, the FAA briefly closed the airspace around El Paso, about 50 miles from Fort Hancock, after a counter-drone laser was used in what was initially called a "cartel drone incursion," but was later reported to be a party balloon. The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the latest incident by issuing a temporary flight restriction for "Special Security Reasons" in the airspace over the Fort Hancock area. The notice is currently in effect until June 24, though it is unclear if it will last the entire duration. Commercial flights have not been affected by this specific closure. Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and André Carson, expressed alarm over the incident. They criticized the White House for what they described as a failure to ensure proper coordination and training for operators of "high-risk counter-unmanned aircraft systems." CBP operates a growing fleet of drones along the border, including both smaller quadcopters and larger, long-endurance models like the Predator B. These drones are used for surveillance to detect illegal crossings and smuggling operations in remote areas. The agency has over 135 small drone systems and is planning to expand to 460. The use of drones by Mexican cartels for surveillance and transporting drugs across the border is a documented concern for U.S. law enforcement. In the last six months of 2024, over 27,000 drone incursions were detected near the southern border.
