What caused the El Paso airport shutdown?

The El Paso airport was shut down due to an uncoordinated deployment of an anti-drone laser by Customs and Border Protection, raising safety concerns for civilian air traffic.

How does US counter-drone technology compare to adversaries?

The United States lags behind adversaries like Russia and China in both drone manufacturing and the development of effective counter-drone technologies and training.

What is being done to improve US counter-drone capabilities?

The Department of Homeland Security has opened a new office for drone technology advancement and is seeking proposals for counter-drone technology to protect infrastructure and the public.

Home / Technology / US Drone Defense Falters: Laser Fails at Airport

US Drone Defense Falters: Laser Fails at Airport

13 Feb

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Summary

Counter-drone technology remains underdeveloped despite significant investment.
An anti-drone laser deployment caused an airport shutdown in El Paso.
The US lags behind adversaries in drone manufacturing and defense.

US Drone Defense Falters: Laser Fails at Airport

The United States' counter-drone technology is still in its early stages, despite substantial financial investment. A recent incident at El Paso International Airport, where a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency's attempt to neutralize a perceived drone with a laser led to a prolonged shutdown, underscores this challenge. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted operations due to concerns about potential risks to civilian aircraft. While officials suggested Mexican cartel drones necessitated a response, the event was triggered by the CBP's uncoordinated laser deployment, which may have targeted a party balloon.