U.S. Counter-Drone Testing Disrupts Flights in Washington and Texas

U.S. government testing of counter-drone technology in 2025 led to significant disruptions to commercial air traffic in both Washington, D.C., and Texas, raising concerns about aviation safety and coordination between federal agencies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily closed El Paso International Airport after safety concerns emerged over a new laser-based counter-drone system being tested at the nearby U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss. Earlier in the year, similar testing near Reagan Washington National Airport triggered faulty cockpit collision alerts, prompting several flight crews to abort landings and execute go-arounds. According to Senator Ted Cruz, the interference occurred because government agencies used the same radio spectrum band as aircraft Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS), despite prior FAA warnings about the risk of signal interference. The issue reportedly affected at least a dozen flights and took days for the FAA to trace to its source. Officials later said they were able to identify and correct the interference, preventing further incidents. The events have sparked scrutiny over how counter-drone testing is coordinated to avoid disrupting commercial aviation.