Overview
- The Defense Department’s JIATF-401 and the FAA ran high‑energy counter‑drone laser trials March 7–8 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
- Testing gathered data on laser effects using aircraft surrogates, evaluated automated safety shut‑offs, and informed analyses for aircrew eye protection.
- The trials are part of a multiyear DoD‑FAA effort to set safe parameters for integrating directed‑energy counter‑UAS systems into U.S. airspace.
- Agencies including U.S. Northern Command, Joint Task Force Southern Border, Army acquisition offices, DOE, NNSA, DHS, CBP, and the New Mexico National Guard participated or observed.
- The coordinated tests follow February incidents near El Paso and Fort Hancock that triggered abrupt FAA airspace restrictions and lawmaker demands for investigations and clearer notification rules.