Many militaries have turned to laser technology in a bid to cheaply knock out large-scale drone attacks.

Flights were grounded overnight for "security reasons," but conflicting accounts have left travelers wondering what really triggered the shutdown.

While there is little new official information about the FAA order that briefly closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, anonymous figures inside the federal government are blaming the episode on confusion over the testing of a new anti-drone laser at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The U.S. has spent billions of dollars developing counter-drone technology, but much of it needs more testing in the real world.

By David Jeans and Mike Stone WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. Army deployed AeroVironment Inc's LOCUST laser counter-drone weapon system near El Paso International Airport on Wednesday, leading to a seven-hour airspace shutdown,

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso, state and federal leaders expressed their frustrations and confusion after the Federal Aviation Administration placed a temporary airspace restriction late Tuesday night,

People familiar with the episode said the use of the technology was not coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration. Officials targeted what they thought was a drug cartel drone, but turned out to be a party balloon,