https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/aerovironments-locust-counter-drone-laser-used-by-us-army-near-el-paso-airport-2026-02-12/Feb 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. Army deployed AeroVironment Inc's LOCUST laser counter-drone weapon system near El Paso International Airport on Wednesday, leading to a seven-hour airspace shutdown, two people briefed on the situation told Reuters.The use of the 20-kilowatt LOCUST direct-energy weapon, which has not previously been reported, is a rare known example of the U.S. deploying cutting-edge counter-drone technology capable of defeating flying objects at a fraction of the cost of traditional interceptor missiles.AeroVironment and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted air traffic for more than seven hours in and out of the Texas border city of El Paso earlier on Wednesday after raising concerns that the Army's laser-based counter-drone system, housed at Fort Bliss adjacent to the airport, could pose risks to commercial air traffic, government and airline officials told Reuters.The United States has been seeking safe and cost-effective ways to defeat drones, particularly around airports and large sporting events - a concern that has become more urgent ahead of the FIFA World Cup and America250 anniversary celebrations this summer. On the U.S.-Mexico border, the Pentagon reports more than 1,000 drone sightings monthly.
Reminds me of that time all those drone swarms appeared off the east coast. And discourse between the public and the fed was basically>public: Are these our drones?>us gov: No, we have no idea whose they are.>public: Can we shoot them down?>us gov: Absolutely fucking not an we will put you in federal prison if you try
>>1488634>On the U.S.-Mexico border, the Pentagon reports more than 1,000 drone sightings monthly.So, UFOs were really just drug drones this whole time, huh?
>>1488644hey, it's understandable. they could have been israeli drones. israel always sneaks things past the us government and gets rewarded with tax dollars when found out, just so they know we're not antisemitic enough to ever think they are in the wrong.
>>1488634Wasn't it determined one of the "enemy drones" they deployed these things to take down was a literal party balloon that got loose?
>>1488644Actually this is even more stupid because they were having this discourse INTERNALLY>faa: hey uh, noticed these was some real high tech anti drone stuff going on by El Paso. What's that about?>cbp: none of your concern>faa: ok but that type of equipment screws with the tech in the planes in the area and this was right next to an airport so uh, could you just tell us->cbp: don't care>faa: listen fuckwit we're gonna have to shut down all air traffic in the area if you don't tell us what that was>cbp: ok ok fine we were using some dod drones to shoot down balloons. Jeez, calm down.
>>1488634Wait so it wasn’t cartel drones? Trump lied again? Say it ain’t so!
>>1488717>use laser to shoot down drones>hurr durr da lazer Imbecile.
>>1488644Firing bullets into the air in populated areas is what's known as a Bad Thing, anon.
