The U.S. military was given the go-ahead to use anti-drone lasers near the southern border to combat cartel drones or other national security drone threats after signing an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on April 10.
The FAA and Department of War signed the pact after completing a safety assessment of the drones and observing demonstrations of the systems at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico last month, according to the departments.
“The FAA’s top priority is protecting the safety of the American flying public, and we value the collaboration with the Department of War in that effort,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in a statement. “Following a thorough, data-informed Safety Risk Assessment, we determined that these systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public.”
The Department of War plans to continue coordinating with the FAA to safely use the counter-drone technology, the department stated.
“This successful test showcases the significant advancements we’re making in counter-drone technology to ensure that our warfighters have the most advanced tools to defend the homeland,” said U.S. Army Brigadier General Matt Ross.
In February, the FAA temporarily restricted the airspace around Fort Hancock, Texas, after reports stating the Pentagon shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone using a high-energy laser.
Earlier that month, the FAA restricted airspace at the El Paso International Airport in Texas for several hours after the Pentagon used a counter-drone laser without notifying the agency. A White House official told The Epoch Times that Mexican cartel-operated drones had breached U.S. airspace and the Department of War took action to disable them.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied the use of drones by cartels at the border, but said the country would look into the incident. The grounding of flights caused some medical flights to be diverted.
Lawmakers were concerned about what appeared to be a lack of coordination between the Pentagon and the Customs and Border Protection after the El Paso incident.
The Trump administration has focused on procuring military technology, committing over $600 million on April 6 to strengthen counter-drone systems capabilities.
“From day one, our mission has been to move with speed and purpose to keep pace with this evolving threat,” Ross said.
The Pentagon has committed $100 million of the funds to enhance counter-drone technology for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, focusing on mobile units to protect stadiums and fan zones in 11 cities across nine states, according to the Department of War.
An Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System fires a Hydra 70 rocket during counter-drone live-fire training in Kuwait on Dec. 4, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Joseph Kumzak, via DVIDS)
Army National Guard units will use the drone capabilities during the soccer events to protect against any drone threats, according to officials.
