After two high-profile incidents, the US Defense Department and Federal Aviation Administration are planning a joint test of a laser system this weekend designed to shoot down drones, in accordance to a press release from the navy.
“This test is part of a long-term, multi-year partnership between the Department of War and the FAA to ensure counter-drone technologies are safely integrated into the national airspace,” Joint Interagency Task Force 401 said in a statement.
The operation, on March 7 and 8 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, comes after two makes use of of anti-drone laser programs on the southern border prompted requires Congressional investigations.
Last month the US military used a laser system to shoot down an unmanned aircraft operated by US Customs and Border Protection in Texas.
About two weeks earlier, the use of a military laser system by CBP designed to disrupt drones close to El Paso prompted the FAA to abruptly shut down a big swath of airspace up to 18,000 ft over town for 10 days. The transfer successfully shut down town’s airport however was reversed after about eight hours.
The Defense Department allowed use of the system round El Paso earlier than assembly with the FAA to assessment potential security impacts, prompting the aviation company to impose the non permanent flight restriction, sources advised NCS on the time.
This weekend’s test seems focused to handle some of the aviation company’s worries.
“This upcoming event will specifically address FAA safety concerns while gathering data about the laser’s material effects on aircraft surrogates, validating the functionality of automated safety shut-off systems, and informing analyses for aircrew eye safety,” the navy assertion famous.
In a press release the FAA famous it appreciates the coordination too assist guarantee public security.
“The FAA and DOW are working with interagency partners to address emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems while maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System.”
NCS’s Alexandra Skores contributed to this report