Pentagon, FAA sign safety agreement over counter-drone laser

The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signed an agreement regarding the domestic use of counter-drone technology, as announced in a joint statement Friday. This agreement follows back-to-back airspace incidents earlier this year in Texas and recent laser safety testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The agencies determined that these systems, including the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL), "do not pose undue risk to passenger aircraft" after a data-informed Safety Risk Assessment. This development aims to ensure the National Airspace System remains safe while addressing emerging drone threats, particularly given the Trump administration's focus on combatting cartel-operated unmanned aerial systems at the southern border. Both agencies will continue coordination to safely employ these systems and ensure civilian aircraft, pilots, navigation equipment, or air traffic services are not impacted.