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The Latest Breaking News from FAA

US Military Shoots Down Government Drone Near Texas Border Using Laser System

The United States military used a high-energy laser system to shoot down a government drone near Fort Hancock, Texas, prompting temporary flight restrictions in the surrounding airspace, according to Reuters, which cited congressional aides.

Whats Hot

US military shoots down govt drone in Texas, leading to flight disruption

In a joint statement, the Pentagon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and CBP confirmed that the military used a "counter-unmanned aircraft system ... to mitigate a seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace." The agencies added that the episode "took place far away from populated areas and there…

The Times of India

Texas airspace shut after Pentagon shoots down border patrol drone

The Pentagon shot down the drone because CBP didn't coordinate with the department, an administration official told Axios.

Axios

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Hegseth-led military used high-energy laser to shoot down CBP drone over Texas — again — forcing airspace shutdown

Members of Congress say the US military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Patrol drone

The Independent UK

Senators question Pentagon official over El Paso airspace closure

A Pentagon official brushed off criticism over the department’s role in the FAA's brief closure of airspace over El Paso this month.

Roll Call

US audit finds gaps in the FAA's oversight of United Airlines maintenance

A federal government audit says FAA staffing shortages and high employee turnover have hindered the agency's oversight of airplane maintenance at United Airlines

The Independent UK

Advanced Pentagon laser weapon shot down party balloons instead of drone by mistake, says report — airport shut down after Customs and Border Protection mistakenly believed it was targeting Mexican cartel drones

A frighteningly farcical series of events involving laser weaponry, the FAA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Pentagon has been retold by a trio of insiders talking to the WSJ.

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What to know about the counter drone technology that triggered the closure of the El Paso airspace

The government’s ability to deal with drones that pose a threat on American soil has been questioned this week after airspace was closed over El Paso, Texas

The Independent UK

Kristi Noem abruptly ends press conference when asked about CBP shooting down a party balloon forcing airport closure

Federal officials initially claimed a cartel drone infiltrated U.S. airspace in bizarre incident

The Independent UK

Amazon Bets Big on BETA: Why Analysts See 50% Upside

Strategic investment from Amazon and a strong cash position signal major upside for BETA Technologies as it approaches critical commercial milestones.

MarketBeat

Counter-drone technologies are evolving – but there’s no surefire way to defend against drone attacks

When the Federal Aviation Administration closed the airport in El Paso, Texas, and the airspace around it on Feb. 10, 2026, the cause was, ironically, the nearby use of a technology that could be key to keeping airports and airspace open and safe.

The Conversation

Laser weapon that shut down El Paso's skies was LOCUST system

What we know about the bizarre events leading up to the airspace closure.

Axios

How a party balloon sparked a feud between the FAA and Pentagon and shut down a city’s airspace

The sudden and unprecedented Tuesday closure of El Paso’s airspace stemmed from border officials firing a high-energy laser at what they believed to be a cartel drone, according to reports. But, it turned out to be something considerably more innocuous: a party balloon drifting in the wind.

The Independent UK

Grieving families press Congress on aviation safety reforms after midair collision near DC

Key senators and the families of the 67 people who died when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., are convinced advanced aircraft locator systems that experts have been recommending for decades would have prevented the crash

The Independent UK

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The Guardian - US

Chaos and confusion in El Paso after airspace closed and quickly reopened

Officials in US border city say FAA decisions caused major disruption – and residents are still scrambling for answers

Axios

El Paso airspace shutdown sparks D.C. blame game

The order alarmed residents of El Paso and blindsided local political leaders.

The Times of India

High-energy laser to attack Mexican cartel drones? What happened in US airspace during 8-hour El Paso shutdown

FAA announced a 10-day airspace shutdown around border city El Paso in Texas only to cancel it within hours after confirming that the threat was neutralized. The sudden closure of the airspace led to panic as local officials said they were not aware of anything. The sudden lifting of the…

We Got This Covered

‘Special security reasons’: Speculation builds over mysterious 10 day shutdown of El Paso airspace

Something weird is happening in the skies over El Paso!

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The Independent UK

Three flight attendants severely injured after air traffic controller failed to warn of turbulence, report says

The report, by the National Transportation Safety Board, says the incident happened on a flight arriving at Newark from Los Angeles

Axios

FAA reopens El Paso airspace after its abrupt closure

The unusual restriction was set to last 10 days.

The Independent UK

Customs and Border Protection used anti-drone laser before the FAA closed El Paso airspace: reports

The sudden closure, which was quickly reversed, fueled fear and speculation online

The Independent UK

The Latest: FAA lifts temporary closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas

The Federal Aviation Administration has reopened the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas, just hours after it announced a 10-day closure that would have grounded all flights to and from the airport

The Times of India

'Crazy NOTAM': El Paso City Council member says local officials had no information about airspace closing, lifted within hours

As the Federal Aviation Administration announced the closure of the airspace of El Paso in Texas for the next 10 days without giving any reason, panic spread even among local leaders as they came out in public admitting that they were also clueless about the sudden development. El Paso City…

The Guardian - US

US officials lift 10-day closure of El Paso airspace after balloon mistaken for drone

FAA initially cited ‘security reasons’ for shutting off skies around Texas airport in area along border with Mexico

The Texas Tribune

El Paso airspace reopened after FAA quickly rescinds 10-day flight restrictions

A source told the Tribune that Defense Department drones spurred the announced closure, but the White House said unmanned craft were flown by Mexican cartels.

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