US Military Downs Border Drone
The U.S. military downed a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone, leading to a temporary airspace closure in Texas. Lawmakers have expressed concern over the incident. The event raises questions about inter-agency coordination and the use of unmanned systems in domestic security operations.
The downing occurred near Fort Hancock, Texas, when the military employed a high-energy, laser-based anti-drone system. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration expanded a temporary flight restriction zone in the area for "special security reasons," though commercial flights were not impacted. Top Democrats on the House committees for Transportation and Homeland Security, Reps. Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and Andre Carson, released a joint statement saying, "Our heads are exploding over the news." They attributed the incident to "incompetence" and criticized the White House for sidestepping a bipartisan bill designed to improve training and coordination for operators of counter-unmanned aircraft systems. This was the second such incident involving anti-drone lasers in the region in a matter of weeks. Shortly before, CBP itself deployed a similar system near El Paso, prompting the FAA to briefly shut down air traffic at the city's airport. That closure, which caused several flight cancellations, occurred after CBP targeted what was suspected to be a cartel drone but was later revealed to be a party balloon. The use of advanced counter-drone measures stems from the escalating use of unmanned aerial systems by Mexican cartels. U.S. officials have reported thousands of drone sightings a month along the southern border, with cartels using them for surveillance of Border Patrol agents and for drug deliveries. Customs and Border Protection operates a fleet of drones, including the MQ-9 Predator B, primarily for surveillance over remote and high-risk sections of the border. The program has been active for over a decade, representing one of the federal government's most significant domestic drone operations. The CBP drone program has faced scrutiny for its high cost and effectiveness. A Department of Homeland Security Inspector General report previously found the actual cost was nearly $12,255 per flight hour, far higher than the $2,468 claimed by the agency. The audit concluded the program could not demonstrate how much it had improved border security and that its planned $443 million expansion could be better used on other alternatives.
