Pentagon Laser Downs Customs Border Patrol Drone in Texas (3)

Feb. 27, 2026, 2:30 PM UTC

The Pentagon accidentally shot down a US Customs and Border Protection drone on the Texas border with Mexico using a high-energy laser, according to people familiar with the matter, weeks after a similar incident led to confusion and exposed communication lapses among several US agencies.

The Defense Department didn’t realize the drone was being flown by CBP when it shot it down, the people said. The military had not first coordinated the use of the laser system with the US Federal Aviation Administration, which was notified Wednesday after the event occurred, according to two of the people, who were ...

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