El Pasos Skies Shut Down by Laser Weapon System

Here is the rewritten news article in a neutral newsroom style:

El Paso Airspace Closure Caused by Laser Weapon System

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) closed El Paso airspace on Tuesday after a laser weapon system, known as the LOCUST system, was activated. The system, which is designed to detect and neutralize drones, mistakenly targeted party balloons in the air.

According to sources, the FAA received reports of a drone sighting in the area before the airspace closure. However, it appears that the system misidentified the balloons as a threat and fired its laser beam at them.

The incident has sparked finger-pointing across the Trump administration, with some officials criticizing the FAA’s handling of the situation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair has also expressed disappointment in the FAA’s response to the incident.

It is unclear how the system malfunctioned or what steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The FAA and Pentagon are currently investigating the cause of the error.

In related news, there have been reports that drug cartels may use drones at the border. However, it is not clear if this was directly related to the El Paso airspace closure.

The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of anti-drone technology and the need for improved safety protocols in place.

Source: Google News World