FAA again closes Texas airspace after military shoots down CBP drone, lawmakers say

Published February 26, 2026 10:52pm ET



The U.S. military accidentally shot down a friendly Customs and Border Protection drone near the southern border Thursday evening, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to close the airspace near El Paso, Texas, for the second time in over two weeks.

The military used a high-energy laser weapon to target the drone, according to federal lawmakers.

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