Overview
- The Pentagon is considering placing a high‑energy LOCUST laser at Fort Lesley J. McNair, according to Tuesday’s reports, after multiple unidentified drones were seen near the base.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio live on the post, and officials weighed relocating them before deciding to keep them in place.
- An Army‑led task force said there was no credible threat and said it has increased counter‑drone patrols and monitoring around the installation.
- Safety approval remains unresolved as the FAA and Pentagon review joint White Sands test data, including a trial that struck a jet without causing structural damage.
- Recent Texas episodes in February led to an El Paso airspace shutdown and revealed misidentified targets, which has sharpened FAA scrutiny of any laser use near Reagan National’s busy flight paths.