The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration have agreed to conduct anti-drone laser tests in New Mexico after the military’s deployment of lasers led the FAA to abruptly close airspace in Texas twice last month.
The newly announced test was conducted “to specifically address FAA safety concerns,” the Army said Friday in a statement. It was scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Lawmakers were concerned about an apparent lack of coordination after the Pentagon allowed US Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser in early February without notifying the FAA. The federal agency that ensures safety in the sky decided so Airspace closure over El Paso for a few hours, stranding many travelers.
The Trump administration said it was working to stop Mexican cartel drone incursions, which are common along the southern border.
On February 26, the US Army Use the laser to shoot down A drone that “looks like a threat” flies near the US-Mexico border. Lawmakers said the drone was found to belong to Customs and Border Protection.
The crash prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to close the airspace around Fort Hancock, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of El Paso.
“We appreciate coordination with the War Department to help ensure public safety,” the FAA said of the test in a separate statement. “The FAA and Department of Defense (DOW) are working with interagency partners to address emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems while maintaining the integrity of the national airspace system.”
The Army must formally notify the FAA when it takes anything Anti-drone action Within US airspace.
Democratic Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, the ranking member on the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, previously called for an independent investigation after the two February incidents.