U.S. Military Downs CBP Drone in Texas
The U.S. military shot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone over Texas, prompting a temporary closure of the airspace. Texas lawmakers have called for a comprehensive review of the incident. The event has raised questions about domestic airspace security and the protocols governing surveillance technology.
The downing of the Customs and Border Protection drone occurred near Fort Hancock, Texas, a community located on the U.S.-Mexico border, approximately 50 miles southeast of El Paso. The incident involved a "high-risk counter-unmanned aircraft system," a term often used to describe anti-drone lasers. A joint statement from the Pentagon, CBP, and the FAA confirmed that the military engaged a "seemingly threatening" aircraft in military airspace. This friendly fire incident is the second time in a month that the use of anti-drone laser technology in the El Paso area has led to airspace restrictions. In early February 2026, the FAA briefly shut down airspace near El Paso International Airport due to the deployment of a similar laser system by CBP, which was reportedly used on what turned out to be party balloons mistaken for a "cartel drone". The destroyed drone was part of a fleet that represents the U.S. government's most significant domestic drone program. CBP operates various models, including the large Predator B drones, which cost around $17 million each to purchase. The operational costs for these larger drones are also substantial, with a 2014 Inspector General report estimating the cost at $12,255 per flight hour. A preliminary internal report on the incident indicated that CBP may not have properly notified the Department of Defense about the drone's flight path, leading the military to mistake it for an unknown aircraft. This highlights a critical lack of coordination that lawmakers had previously warned about, with some stating that their "heads are exploding over the news." The airspace around Fort Hancock was already under temporary flight restrictions, which were expanded after the drone was shot down. The new restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect until June 24, 2026, though commercial flights are not expected to be impacted due to the remote location. The incident occurred in a region known for incursions by drones operated by Mexican cartels, which use them for surveillance and transporting illicit goods. Both the Pentagon and CBP have been deploying new counter-drone technologies to address these threats, though this event underscores the challenges of doing so in shared airspace.
