FAA approves military use of drone-killing laser weapons in US airspace — decision comes after it was decided ‘systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public’

The FAA has approved the military's use of laser weapons to take down drones in U.S. airspace, following safety assessments that determined these systems do not pose an increased risk to the public. This decision comes after an incident where high-energy lasers were fired at suspected drones, which turned out to be party balloons, causing delays in civil aviation. The FAA will issue advisories to pilots flying over southern border areas to alert them to increased anti-drone laser use. While the Pentagon can now use high-energy lasers along the border, coordination with the FAA is still advisable to ensure safety in airspace.