This week, the US Army successfully employed a high-energy multipurpose laser system to neutralize three drones near the US-Mexico border, which authorities stated posed a "physical threat" to military personnel and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) partners. The operation occurred between the night of August 25 and the early morning of August 26 around the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, spearheaded by the Joint Task Force Southern Border (JTF-SB) under US Northern Command.
The technology utilized for this operation stemmed from the Army’s High-Energy Multipurpose Laser (AMP-HEL) program, aiming to integrate high-energy laser capabilities into defense strategies. Reports indicate that this initiative began in September 2025 when AeroVironment, a defense technology firm, delivered the initial prototypes. By December 2025, enhanced versions of the systems, known as the Locust Laser Weapon System, were supplied to the military, designed for integration on military vehicles.
Operating at a power of 20 kilowatts, the Locust system uses a focused light beam to detect, track, and engage targets, causing damage or destruction based on various factors like distance and exposure time. Recent models include advanced radar and command and control systems to facilitate easier integration into mobile defense platforms.
While the exact location of the operation remains undisclosed, major general Curtis Taylor of JTF-SB indicated that the drones might be associated with criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking. He noted that cartel networks increasingly utilize drones for illicit activities and surveillance against US personnel.
The official press release did not detail the specific models from the AMP-HEL program used in this operation, but the event is being associated with broader strategies against illegal immigration and drug cartels, particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration. He has pledges to combat these issues with advanced technology along the US-Mexico border, making directed-energy systems a key element of this approach.
For further reading, check out more about directed-energy weapons and the involvement of drug cartels in drone operations.
