Disagreements between the Pentagon and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over testing of laser weapons against drones prompted the closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas and much of southern New Mexico. The Associated Press reports this, citing sources. According to him, the US military planned to test lasers against UAVs allegedly used by Mexican drug cartels without proper approval from the FAA. The FAA wanted to ensure the test was safe for civil aviation, after which the air regulator closed the airspace. As the agency notes, it remains unclear whether the Pentagon will conduct laser testing. Previously, it was known that the United States was 5 years ahead of schedule to create the Abrams M1E3 light tank.
