Military Downs CBP Drone Over Texas
The U.S. military downed a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone, leading to the temporary closure of airspace in Texas, according to lawmakers. The incident has prompted an investigation into coordination protocols between domestic agencies and the military. It also highlights the growing complexities of managing airspace with an increasing number of unmanned aerial vehicles in operation.
The drone involved was likely an MQ-9 Predator B, operated by CBP's Air and Marine Operations (AMO). This long-endurance aircraft, which can cost around $17 million, is a surveillance version of the military's MQ-9 Reaper and can fly for over 27 hours at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. AMO operates these systems from bases including one in San Angelo, Texas, to patrol the border. These missions involve detecting illegal crossings and drug smuggling, with the drone fleet flying nearly 12,000 hours annually and contributing to thousands of apprehensions and seizures. The Predator B provides persistent, real-time intelligence to Border Patrol agents and other law enforcement partners, covering vast areas where ground access is difficult. The airspace over the continental U.S. is monitored by NORAD's Continental U.S. Region (CONR), headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Operating under the mission name Operation Noble Eagle since the 9/11 attacks, CONR is responsible for identifying and responding to any airborne threats, using a network of radars and fighter aircraft. The downing near Fort Hancock, Texas, was the result of a military laser weapon system disabling a drone it deemed "seemingly threatening." Officials later confirmed it was a case of mistaken identity and a lack of coordination between the Department of Defense and CBP. Lawmakers have criticized the incident as a failure of inter-agency communication. This is not the first instance of coordination issues or mishaps involving CBP drones or anti-drone systems in the region. A separate incident occurred weeks prior near El Paso when CBP itself fired an anti-drone laser, prompting an emergency airspace closure by the FAA. CBP has also lost drones to crashes, including one in 2006 near the Arizona border and another that experienced a hard landing in San Angelo, Texas, in 2020. The challenge of "deconfliction"—ensuring military, civilian, and other government aircraft can operate safely in the same airspace—is a growing concern for defense agencies. DARPA and the U.S. Army are actively developing new software, like the Air Space Total Awareness for Rapid Tactical Execution (ASTARTE) program, to automate flight path planning and prevent friendly fire incidents or collisions.
