FAA, Pentagon to conduct high-energy laser test this weekend on counter drone defense system, US military says

FAA, Pentagon to conduct high-energy laser test this weekend on counter drone defense system, US military says

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pentagon's Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) will conduct a high-energy laser test this weekend at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, to advance counter-drone defense systems. The test aims to address FAA safety concerns, evaluate the laser's effects on aircraft surrogates, and validate automated safety shut-off mechanisms. This follows recent incidents, including a February 2025 airspace shutdown in El Paso, Texas, caused by Customs and Border Protection's use of a military loaned laser system, and a mid-February 2026 incident involving the accidental downing of a CBP drone near Fort Hancock, Texas.

Lawmakers have criticized the Pentagon, FAA, and CBP for inadequate coordination in deploying counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) technology, citing operational challenges and public confusion over airspace closures. The test represents a continuation of multi-year efforts to integrate advanced defense systems safely into U.S. airspace, with JIATF-401 emphasizing the need to accelerate interagency collaboration.

The Pentagon has prioritized directed energy weapons, such as high-energy lasers, to counter drone threats, citing cost advantages over traditional air-defense missiles. For example, the Navy's HELIOS system, deployed on the USS Preble, demonstrated the ability to neutralize multiple drones at a fraction of the cost of $1 million-per-unit RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles.

Stakeholders, including the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, and New Mexico National Guard, will observe the test, underscoring a unified federal approach to balancing homeland security and aviation safety. The outcome may influence future procurement strategies as the military seeks scalable, cost-effective solutions for emerging drone threats.