US military downs CBP drone over Texas
The U.S. military downed a Customs and Border Protection drone, leading to the closure of airspace over Texas. Lawmakers say the incident is indicative of ongoing efforts to secure domestic airspace against unauthorized aerial activity. The event highlights the increasing militarization of border security and the focus on technological threats.
The downing of a Customs and Border Protection drone by the U.S. military on Thursday, February 26, 2026, occurred near Fort Hancock, Texas, after the drone was targeted with a high-energy laser weapon. This action prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to close the airspace in the vicinity, although commercial flights were not affected. A preliminary report suggested that CBP may not have notified the Department of Defense about the flight, leading the military to engage what it believed to be an unknown aerial system. This marks the second time in a month that military counter-drone activities have disrupted Texas airspace. On February 11, the FAA briefly shut down airspace around El Paso International Airport due to military tests involving a similar anti-drone laser near Fort Bliss. That initial closure was attributed by officials to concerns over incursions by drones operated by Mexican cartels. In response to the friendly fire incident, Democratic Representatives Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and André Carson issued a joint statement criticizing a lack of coordination between the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FAA. They argued the event was a result of the White House sidestepping a bipartisan bill aimed at improving training for operators of counter-unmanned aircraft systems. The U.S. military's rules of engagement for domestic airspace have been evolving to address the increased prevalence of drones. In December 2025, the Pentagon issued updated guidance to give installation commanders more authority to counter drone threats, even beyond the immediate fenceline of a base. This policy clarifies that unauthorized drone surveillance itself can be considered a threat. To address coordination challenges, the Department of Defense established the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401). This entity is tasked with synchronizing counter-drone efforts across all government agencies to rapidly develop and deploy capabilities to defend against unmanned aerial system threats both at home and abroad. Customs and Border Protection operates a varied fleet of drones for surveillance and reconnaissance along the border. This includes large, long-endurance aircraft like the Predator B, as well as smaller, more portable systems that can be launched by agents in the field. As of late 2025, the Border Patrol had over 135 small drone systems in use, with plans to expand the fleet to 460. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is responsible for detecting, validating, and warning of any aerospace threats to North America. Standard procedure for an unidentified aircraft involves tracking by air traffic control, followed by scrambling fighter jets to make a visual identification and attempt communication. If the aircraft is deemed a threat and does not comply, engagement is authorized. Drone regulations within the U.S. have been tightening. As of December 2025, the FCC has stopped authorizing the import and sale of new foreign-made drones and their components, citing national security risks. This move significantly impacts the availability of drones from major manufacturers like China's DJI for government and commercial use.
