The Pentagon fired another laser weapon at a drone during ongoing defense testing, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to close airspace above Fort Hancock, Texas. The latest demonstration follows the downing of a Customs and Border Protection drone in the area.
Previous coverage highlighted the military's accelerated development of directed-energy weapons as drone threats multiply across global conflict zones. The Pentagon has ramped up testing of these laser systems as part of broader efforts to counter unmanned aerial vehicles that have proven devastatingly effective in Ukraine and Middle East conflicts.
The FAA's decision to shut down the Fort Hancock airspace underscores growing concerns about civilian aviation safety during military weapons testing. Border Protection officials have not disclosed the value of the downed drone or whether it was participating in the test or struck accidentally. The closure affects both commercial and private aircraft operations in the region.
Fort Hancock sits along the Rio Grande border with Mexico, making it a strategic location for both border security operations and military testing. The area's remote location typically allows for weapons testing with minimal civilian air traffic disruption. However, the repeated closures signal an intensification of the Pentagon's laser weapon development program.
These laser weapon systems represent a significant shift in how the military approaches drone threats. Unlike traditional missiles or bullets, directed-energy weapons offer precise targeting with potentially unlimited ammunition, making them attractive for defending against swarm attacks that conventional weapons struggle to counter effectively.
The expanded testing program signals the Pentagon's urgency in developing effective countermeasures as drone warfare becomes increasingly prevalent worldwide. Military officials must now balance rapid weapons development with ensuring civilian airspace remains secure during these critical demonstrations that could reshape modern battlefield defense systems.