Key Takeaways
- The Pentagon plans to test a high-energy laser in New Mexico.
- Testing aims to determine safety limits for counter-drone technology.
- Recent incidents highlight coordination problems among federal agencies.
Pentagon and FAA Plan Tests for High-Energy Laser Counter-Drone Technology
US Military and Aviation Regulators Collaborate on Safety Limits for Directed-Energy Systems
The Pentagon and FAA plan to conduct tests at White Sands Missile Range on a high-energy laser designed to counter drones. The testing aims to establish safety limits for directed-energy systems, which have already caused airspace disruptions in Texas. The goal is to create a framework that would let the FAA clear the technology for use without individual approvals. However, lawmakers and regulators highlight concerns about coordination problems and the need for confidence in the system’s safety case.
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