Safety Assessment Paves Way for Military Countermeasures Near Commercial Flights
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cleared the use of anti-drone lasers in airspace where commercial aircraft operate, following a safety assessment and agreement with the Defense Department. The decision paves the way for deployment of high-energy military counter-drone lasers along the US southern border, where drone activity has been linked to criminal groups. The FAA has issued a directive requiring aircraft to use ADS-B Out equipment in affected areas, and officials have welcomed the new agreement while seeking further briefing on safety procedures. The development was first reported by AeroTime.