Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor reports the U.S. military used a laser system to shoot down three hostile drug cartel drones.
The U.S. military successfully defended personnel and partners by using an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system to shoot down three hostile drones allegedly operated by drug cartels. The operation, conducted by the Joint Task Force – Southern Border under U.S. Northern Command, took place late Tuesday and early Wednesday. The drones were identified as hostile because they posed a physical threat to U.S. military personnel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection partners. Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of the Joint Task Force – Southern Border, stated that cartel networks are increasingly using unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate illicit human-smuggling and to spy on law enforcement. The task force, which consists of approximately 8,000 service members, was established in 2025 to support the immigration crackdown led by the administration. The laser system, built by AeroVironment, serves as a mobile counter-drone technology. This deployment demonstrates the military's commitment to using advanced directed-energy capabilities to mitigate surveillance threats and disrupt criminal activities along the southern border.
Sources
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Laser used to shoot down cartel drones near Mexico border
The Hill
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US military uses laser to down three Mexican cartel drones near border
CNN
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Army Lasers Blast Drones, Proving Directed-Energy Weapons Are Future
U.S. Department of War (.gov)
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Joint Task Force – Southern Border uses high-energy laser system to mitigate cartel-linked drone threats
DVIDS
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A US military laser weapon is taking out cartel-linked drones at the southern border. It defeated 3 this week.
Business Insider