FAA, Pentagon dispute over drone testing leads to airspace closure
Defense and aviation officials engaged in detailed talks over a proposed airspace closure near Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, for military tests aimed at downing drones. The Pentagon sought to conduct counter-drone exercises requiring temporary restrictions in busy civilian airspace. The FAA reviewed the plan for safety, regulatory compliance, and impact on commercial and private flights. Sources describe a careful process to define test boundaries, procedures, and legal authority as the U.S. military expands development of systems to detect and disable unmanned aircraft in domestic airspace.