The US military shot down a drone operated by US Customs and Border Protection in Texas using an anti-drone laser system, according to Democratic lawmakers briefed on the incident.
The shootdown occurred near Fort Hancock, a small town along the US-Mexico border, though the exact timing remains unclear, CNN reported.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a temporary flight restriction over the area to ensure air safety. Officials said the restriction is not expected to affect commercial flights. The Pentagon and CBP have not publicly commented.
The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone. It's not clear why the laser was deployed but it's the second time in two weeks that one has been fired in the areahttps://t.co/qG1CGcx0vS
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) February 27, 2026
Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sharply criticized the administration, blaming a lack of coordination between the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FAA. They pointed to earlier warnings about inadequate training for counter-drone systems.
The incident follows a recent case near El Paso where CBP’s use of a military laser system led the FAA to temporarily shut down large sections of airspace. Senator Tammy Duckworth called for a joint investigation into what she described as growing dysfunction in aviation oversight.
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