Pentagon weighs deploying anti-drone laser near Washington base amid airspace concerns

The Pentagon is considering deploying a high-powered counter-drone laser system near a military installation in Washington, D.C., following reports of unusual drone activity in the area.

According to multiple officials familiar with the discussions, the U.S. Army is evaluating the potential use of the system at Fort Lesley J. McNair, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintain residences.

Drone sightings prompt security review

The discussions follow a series of reported drone sightings near the installation, raising concerns about possible surveillance targeting senior U.S. officials. While authorities have not identified a credible threat, the activity has prompted increased counter-drone measures in the area.

Heather Chairez, a spokeswoman for an Army-led joint task force in the national capital region, said she was “aware of the reported drone sightings near Fort McNair and the surrounding areas.” She added that while there was no confirmed threat, anti-drone efforts had been increased “to keep our service members and civilians who work and live on Fort McNair safe.”

Officials have not confirmed whether the laser system will ultimately be deployed.

Airspace safety concerns complicate plans

Any decision to position the system near Fort McNair would introduce additional challenges in one of the most tightly controlled and heavily trafficked airspaces in the United States.

The installation sits just a few miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a major civilian hub. The proximity has drawn scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has raised safety concerns about the use of directed-energy systems in shared airspace.

An FAA spokesperson said the agency looks forward to working with the Pentagon and other stakeholders “to protect the homeland while ensuring the safety of the national airspace system,” but declined to comment directly on the potential deployment at Fort McNair.

The issue comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety following recent incidents, including a fatal midair collision over the Potomac River.

Ongoing dispute over laser use

The debate over deploying counter-drone lasers is not limited to Washington. The Pentagon and the FAA have been engaged in a dispute over the use of such systems along the U.S.-Mexico border, where officials have explored their use against drone activity linked to cartels.

At the center of those discussions is a system known as LOCUST, developed by AeroVironment. The technology is designed to disable or destroy drones using directed energy, offering a potential alternative to more expensive missile-based interceptors.

FAA officials have expressed concerns about the risk lasers could pose to aircraft or pilots, particularly in congested airspace. The agency has considered issuing advisories to pilots in areas where the systems may be used, though details remain under discussion.

Recent testing of the laser system at White Sands Missile Range sought to address some of those concerns. According to Lt. Col. Adam Scher, the system was fired at a jet aircraft during testing without causing structural damage.

“The laser caused no structural damage to the aircraft,” Scher said. “The system acted exactly as was expected every time.”

Even so, FAA officials have continued to review the potential risks, as interagency negotiations continue over how and where the technology can be deployed.

Balancing cost and capability

The push to expand laser-based counter-drone systems comes as U.S. officials look for more cost-effective ways to counter small drone threats.

During a March 9 briefing, President Donald Trump highlighted the potential of directed-energy systems as a lower-cost alternative to traditional interceptors.

“The laser technology that we have now is incredible,” he said. “It’s coming out pretty soon, where literally lasers will do the work of – at a lot less cost – do the work of what the Patriots are doing, and what other things are doing.”

For now, any deployment near Fort McNair remains under consideration, with officials weighing the benefits of the increased protection against the risks posed to one of the country’s most sensitive airspaces.