Texas airspace closed after military reportedly downs US drone on accident

"The FAA and Pentagon did not immediately comment but the FAA cited special security reasons in its notice about the restrictions on the airspace near the Mexican border posted on its Notam alert system, shorthand for Notice to Air Missions. The airspace restriction around Fort Hancock took effect at 6.30pm local time on Thursday and remains in effect until 24 June, according to the notice."

"Three House Democrats on committees that oversee the nation's transportation and homeland security agencies Rick Larsen, Andre Carson and Bennie Thompson said they were stunned by the news that the FAA had to close airspace in Texas again after two parts of the government apparently failed to coordinate a laser strike on an object mistaken for a foreign drone."

"The Democrats added that they had warned months ago that the White House's decision to sidestep a bipartisan, tri-committee bill to appropriately train C-UAS operators and address the lack of coordination between the Pentagon, DHS and the FAA was a short-sighted idea. Now, we're seeing the result of its incompetence."

The FAA implemented airspace restrictions around Fort Hancock, Texas on Thursday following an incident where a military laser-based counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) accidentally destroyed a US government drone operated by Customs and Border Protection. Congressional Democrats expressed concern over the lack of coordination between the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, and FAA. The airspace closure remains in effect until June 24. This incident follows a similar event earlier in the month when border protection agents used a Pentagon-loaned laser system to shoot down a party balloon near El Paso. Democrats criticized the White House for bypassing a bipartisan bill requiring proper C-UAS operator training and inter-agency coordination protocols.

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