AXIOS (Colin Demarest) - Laser weapon that shut down El Paso's skies was LOCUST system
The counter-drone weapon that caused a shutdown of El Paso's airspace on Wednesday was AeroVironment's LOCUST, a 20-kilowatt laser system, Axios has confirmed. Why it matters: The Army sees the cutting-edge weapon as a way to combat drones without firing expensive interceptors. But the Federal Aviation Administration was so concerned about its use that it shut down the airspace around a major city for nearly eight hours. Driving the news: Trump administration officials claimed a "cartel drone incursion" had necessitated a military response, which in turn led the FAA to order the extraordinary 10-day airspace closure . It was lifted hours later. - Multiple sources told Axios that, in fact, the Federal Aviation Administration reacted…
The counter-drone weapon that caused a shutdown of El Paso's airspace on Wednesday was AeroVironment's LOCUST, a 20-kilowatt laser system, Axios has confirmed. Why it matters: The Army sees the cutting-edge weapon as a way to combat drones without firing expensive interceptors. But the Federal Aviation Administration was so concerned about its use that it shut down the airspace around a major city for nearly eight hours. Driving the news: Trump administration officials claimed a "cartel drone incursion" had necessitated a military response, which in turn led the FAA to order the extraordinary 10-day airspace closure . It was lifted hours later. - Multiple sources told Axios that, in fact, the Federal Aviation Administration reacted…Open