Pentagon's Laser System for Drones in D.C.

0:00On March 31, the Pentagon is looking at putting a high-energy laser system against drones right at Fort Leslie J. McNair in Washington, D.C. This comes from worries about unexplained drone flybys near key spots. The Fort Houses top brass like war secretary Pete Hakesf and secretary of state Marco Rubio and it sparks some real security buzz. Lately, folks have spotted drones around the area so the Army's joint task force ramped up their anti-drone game. Officials say there's no real threat but they're keeping everyone safe, service members, civilians, the works. Still, deploying this laser so close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has airspace experts on edge. People are reacting with caution because past tries with these lasers have gone sideways. Back in February, one's apt to US customs drone by mistake near Fort Hancock, Texas. Another time near Fort Bliss, they thought of threat was in the air but it turned out to be just a party balloon and it shut down El Paso airspace.

1:01For a bit. To fix those risks, the Pentagon and federal aviation administration teamed up for tests in New Mexico. They checked how the laser plays with plane materials and safety features, making sure it won't mess with flights. Meanwhile, drone sightings have spiked over the last year near big cities and bases, pushing defense and aviation teams to balance threats with safe. Skies as they figure this out. I'm Cory with the story. That's your US News Today update. AI powered and always on.