AP Sources: Pentagon-FAA dispute over lasers to thwart cartel drones led to airspace closure

The sudden and surprising airspace closure over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday — first announced as extending for 10 days but lasting only a few hours — stemmed from the Pentagon’s plans to test a laser to shoot down drones used by Mexican drug cartels, according to the Associated Press. San Antonio’s lone direct Wednesday flight to El Paso was not impacted.