A Pentagon test involving a directed-energy weapon to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS) backfired earlier this month, mistakenly targeting metallic party balloons instead of suspected drug cartel drones, just hours before the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily closed airspace near El Paso, Texas. The incident, which occurred on February 9th at Fort Bliss Air Base, underscores the escalating challenges and evolving strategies in homeland defense against drone threats.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had approved the temporary deployment of a 20-kilowatt laser weapon, known as LOCUST, to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for testing at the Fort Bliss installation, according to the Wall Street Journal. The test, conducted without prior coordination with the FAA, triggered a response from the White House and Congress, signaling a potential pattern of similar incidents as the U.S. Ramps up its defenses against UAS.
The incident occurred as the Department of Defense (DoD) released updated guidance on February 12th, empowering installation commanders to grab decisive action against drone threats within the homeland. The fresh policy, outlined in a Fact Sheet, aims to address what officials describe as an inadequate framework for dealing with the increasingly complex UAS environment. “Our message is clear, Department of War (DoW) airspace is off limits, and our commanders on the ground have the discretion to defend our airspace against all manner of UAS threats,” the Fact Sheet stated.
The updated guidance grants commanders broader authority to extend defensive measures beyond the physical perimeter of military installations, protecting both fixed and mobile assets. This represents a “culture shift,” according to DoD officials, allowing for more proactive and flexible responses to potential threats.
The DoD’s efforts to bolster counter-UAS capabilities are being coordinated by the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401), established in August 2025 to replace the Pentagon’s Joint C-sUAS Office. JIATF 401, operating under the Secretary of the Army, is tasked with strengthening U.S. Airspace sovereignty, protecting personnel and facilities, and accelerating the development of innovative solutions to counter drone threats.
Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, Director of JIATF 401, visited the FBI’s National Counter-UAS Training Center (NCUTC) at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, last Thursday to discuss security preparations for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament this summer. The NCUTC, established in December 2025, provides training to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies on drone detection, identification, threat assessment, and coordinated response procedures.
The federal government is also taking steps to address concerns about the reliance on foreign-made drones and components. In December 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its “Covered List,” prohibiting the import of UAS and UAS components produced in countries deemed to pose unacceptable risks to U.S. National security. This action, prompted by a National Security Determination from the White House, aims to mitigate the potential for data harvesting, remote access, and disruption of critical infrastructure.
The Pentagon is investing heavily in counter-UAS technology, awarding BAE Systems a $145 million contract last week for the development, manufacturing, and delivery of counter-UAS weapon systems. Defense contractors have highlighted the challenges of detecting tiny, inexpensive drones, which often have minimal radar signatures and operate at low altitudes in cluttered environments. Distinguishing between hostile and civilian drones also remains a significant hurdle, particularly in urban areas.
A Senate Armed Services Committee meeting scheduled for last Thursday with Pentagon drone experts Owen O. West and Travis Metz was canceled at the last minute, the reason for which remains undisclosed.
