El Paso airport closed after military used new anti-drone laser to zap party balloon

In a surprising turn of events, airspace over El Paso International Airport in Texas was temporarily closed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday evening. The restrictions, which extended up to 18,000 feet, were initially set to last for 10 days. However, just under 10 hours later, the FAA lifted the closure, allowing flights to resume at the bustling airport. An hour after the airspace was reopened, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy addressed the situation, stating, "The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion." The term 'DOW' refers to the Department of Defense, a name adopted by the Trump Administration, despite the official title remaining the Department of Defense. However, the rationale behind the sudden airspace closure has been met with skepticism. Reports from outlets such as The New York Times indicate that the military has been experimenting with advanced high-energy lasers designed to neutralize drones. While discussions were ongoing between the FAA and military officials regarding safety protocols for these tests, concerns had not been fully resolved. In a perplexing twist, the military proceeded with a test of the new laser technology this week, targeting what was believed to be a drone. In reality, the object turned out to be nothing more than a party balloon, raising questions about the decision-making process and safety measures in place for such military operations.