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Ready, Fire, Aim
Feb. 11th, 2026 12:43 pmApologies for the long radio silence at Casa Gerrib Norte. I was heavily involved in running Capricon and then other Life happened. But relax - your silent suffering is at an end.
Comes news today that the FAA shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas for 10 days on very short notice. Then, after a widespread round of WTF, they re-opened it. Well, the problem resulted from a spat between the FAA and DOD over using high-powered lasers to shoot down drug cartel drones. Apparently the DOD has been using these at Fort Bliss over FAA objections. Also at least one use of the laser was to shoot down errant party balloons. I have thoughts.
1) Dealing with low-and-slow drones over any urban area is tough. There's a lot of stuff flying around.
2) Especially in peacetime, you really should know what you're shooting at before firing.
3) The drone problem will require multiple solutions, to include sending up your own drones to eyeball a target before hitting it with your Mega Death Ray.
4) The (lack of) planning this incident exhibited is reason #3741 why you need competent people in government. Alas, in the current Administration, competency is actively discouraged.
Comes news today that the FAA shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas for 10 days on very short notice. Then, after a widespread round of WTF, they re-opened it. Well, the problem resulted from a spat between the FAA and DOD over using high-powered lasers to shoot down drug cartel drones. Apparently the DOD has been using these at Fort Bliss over FAA objections. Also at least one use of the laser was to shoot down errant party balloons. I have thoughts.
1) Dealing with low-and-slow drones over any urban area is tough. There's a lot of stuff flying around.
2) Especially in peacetime, you really should know what you're shooting at before firing.
3) The drone problem will require multiple solutions, to include sending up your own drones to eyeball a target before hitting it with your Mega Death Ray.
4) The (lack of) planning this incident exhibited is reason #3741 why you need competent people in government. Alas, in the current Administration, competency is actively discouraged.
