A temporary airspace closure over El Paso International Airport late Tuesday night revealed a growing tension between rapid deployment of new drone defense technology and the safety of civilian air traffic. The shutdown, initially announced for ten days but later reduced to hours, stemmed from the use of a U.S. Army laser-based counter-drone system near the airport – a tool intended to neutralize what officials called a “cartel drone incursion.”
The incident underscores the practical challenges of integrating these weapons into real-world scenarios. While the threat was reportedly neutralized, the exact method remains unclear, with conflicting reports ranging from a stray party balloon to a deliberate border intrusion. Senator Ted Cruz acknowledged the ambiguity, stating that “the details of what exactly occurred over El Paso are unclear.”
The deployed system, identified as a LOCUST laser from AeroVironment, is designed to disable drones by overheating critical components. However, this technology presents inherent risks. Experts like Iain Boyd of the University of Colorado Boulder explain that lasers don’t stop at the target, potentially endangering pilots or causing collateral damage. “If you fire a laser at a drone and miss it, that laser beam will keep on going for a long way,” Boyd says.
The appeal of lasers lies in their cost-effectiveness compared to missiles, offering a “deep magazine” and “low cost per kill.” Raytheon claims their systems can deliver “dozens of precise laser shots” on a single charge, with indefinite firing capabilities given a power source. Despite this, lasers require sustained focus on the target, and material reflectivity can scatter energy, increasing hazards.
The development of these systems reflects a shift from earlier, less successful high-energy laser programs like the Reagan-era “Star Wars” initiative. Today’s lasers are smaller, more efficient, and focused on defending ground-based assets rather than intercepting ballistic missiles. Lockheed Martin’s ATHENA system demonstrated drone takedowns as early as 2017, and the Army deployed prototypes in the Middle East by 2024.
However, the El Paso incident highlights that real-world deployment doesn’t always match laboratory success. The Congressional Research Service noted that feedback on laser prototypes was “not overwhelmingly positive,” and the FAA has warned of the danger to pilots from even low-powered lasers. The closure resulted from a coordination failure where one agency’s counter-drone tool became another’s aviation hazard.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that while technology advances rapidly, practical implementation and safety protocols must keep pace. The future of drone defense is here, but it comes with paperwork, regulation, and the very real risk of unintended consequences.
