US downs own border patrol drone – lawmakers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed sweeping flight restrictions near a key border crossing to Mexico after a Pentagon-operated laser system reportedly shot down a US government drone in the area.

The FAA barred most aircraft from operating in airspace near Fort Hancock, Texas, late on Thursday, citing “special security reasons” in a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM). The restrictions took effect at 6:30 PM local time and are scheduled to remain in place until June 24, though emergency flights such as air ambulances and search-and-rescue operations may be authorized on a case-by-case basis.

Neither the Pentagon nor the FAA commented on the reported incident, but senior Democratic lawmakers overseeing aviation and homeland security issues criticized the “incompetence” and poor coordination between military and civilian agencies.