US military laser destroys three cartel

The US military used an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser to shoot down three cartel-linked drones over Texas on August 25-26, 2026.

The US military has operationally used a directed-energy weapon against hostile aircraft for the first time. Personnel from Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) destroyed three unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) on August 25 and 26, 2026.

The engagements occurred in the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas. The military stated the drones were considered hostile because they were being used in direct support of activities posing a physical threat to US military and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. The precise location and whether the drones were over US or Mexican territory when engaged were not disclosed.

US Northern Command confirmed the actions were coordinated with partners along the border but provided no further details, citing operational security. The military also did not identify the specific criminal organizations believed to be operating the drones.

Cartel drone threat and military response

Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of JTF-SB, said cartel networks are increasingly using drones for illicit activities. "Cartel networks are increasingly employing unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate illicit human-smuggling and actively spy on our personnel and law enforcement partners," Taylor stated.

He said the use of layered countermeasures and directed-energy systems demonstrates the military will not tolerate hostile surveillance. Taylor also credited cooperation with the Mexican Army in combating regional threats.

The AMP-HEL is a mobile counter-drone system designed to disable or destroy small UAS with concentrated laser energy. AeroVironment delivered the first two prototypes to the US Army in 2025. The system is intended as a low-cost alternative to conventional missiles or ammunition for engaging drones.

Previous incidents and airspace coordination

The recent successful engagements follow a problematic incident earlier in the year. In February 2026, a US military laser-based system mistakenly shot down a CBP drone near Fort Hancock, Texas. This contributed to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight restrictions and raised concerns about coordination between military, CBP, and civilian aviation authorities.

A separate counter-drone operation near El Paso in February prompted the FAA to temporarily close a large area of airspace around El Paso International Airport (ELP). The restriction was lifted within hours.

Subsequently, the FAA and Pentagon developed procedures allowing military anti-drone lasers to operate near commercial traffic without requiring airport closures. In April 2026, the FAA stated a safety assessment found the technology did not pose an undue risk to passenger aircraft when appropriate safeguards were followed.

Joint Task Force-Southern Border currently has approximately 8,000 service members deployed along the 1,954-mile southern border. Since assuming the mission in March 2025, the task force says its personnel have conducted tens of thousands of detection patrols and thousands of observation flights.

Source: AeroTime