Pentagon Anti-Drone Laser Prompts 2nd Texas Airspace Closure

Members of Congress say their ‘heads are exploding’ after another sudden shutdown this month.

Jack Daleo

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 11:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Silhouette of a drone in flight [Credit: JeShoots/Pexels]

Key Takeaways:

The Pentagon reportedly used an anti-drone laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone, sparking outrage and criticism from members of Congress.
The incident highlighted a severe lack of communication and coordination among federal agencies (Pentagon, CBP, FAA) regarding counter-drone operations and associated airspace closures.
Unannounced temporary flight restrictions in Texas, linked to these incidents, caused significant disruption to local communities and were condemned by Congress as a result of "incompetence" in managing counter-UAS protocols.

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Members of Congress on Thursday said their “heads are exploding” over reports that the Pentagon used a high-energy anti-drone laser to shoot down an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) belonging to Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The statement from Representatives Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), André Carson (D-Ind.), and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)—all ranking members on House committees or subcommittees dealing with transportation or national security—came as multiple outlets reported the Pentagon’s use of the laser, prompting a second airspace closure in Texas this month.