Whoops: US military laser strike takes down CBP drone near Mexican border

"The Defense Department didn't realize the drone was being flown by CBP when it shot it down, and had not first coordinated the use of the laser system with the US Federal Aviation Administration. The military hasn't been coordinating counter-drone measures with the FAA, and CBP drone operators didn't inform the military's laser unit that it was launching."

"Congressional aides told Reuters the Pentagon used the high-energy laser system to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone near the Mexican border, in an area that often has incursions from Mexican drones used by drug cartels."

"Because the CBP didn't notify the Defense Department, the military viewed the aircraft as an unknown drone. The FAA closed some airspace along the border with Mexico in Fort Hancock, Texas, with a notice announcing temporary flight restrictions for special security reasons."

The US military accidentally shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone near the Mexican border using a high-energy laser system. The incident occurred in Fort Hancock, Texas, an area frequently targeted by Mexican drug cartel drones. The Defense Department did not realize the drone belonged to CBP and had not coordinated the laser system's use with the FAA. Communication failures between agencies contributed to the mistake: CBP drone operators did not inform the military's laser unit about their launch, and the military viewed the aircraft as an unknown threat. The FAA implemented temporary flight restrictions in the area until June 24. This incident followed a similar February event when CBP used military-loaned laser technology in the El Paso region.

Read at Ars Technica