US News
US Army disables three drones near southern border using vehicle-mounted laser system
Military personnel engaged the unmanned aircraft in Texas after officials assessed they posed a physical threat.
The short version
- The US Army deployed a high-energy laser to take down three drones along the Rio Grande Valley in Texas overnight between August 25 and August 26.
- The mission was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Border under US Northern Command in coordination with Customs and Border Protection.
- The operation utilized technology from the Army's High-Energy Multipurpose Laser initiative developed with defense contractor AeroVironment.
- The origin and specific intent of the targeted drones remain unannounced by military officials.
Key facts
- Joint Task Force Southern Border, operating under US Northern Command, brought down three drones in the Rio Grande Valley between the night of August 25 and morning of August 26.[Ars Technica]
- Official military reports stated the unmanned aircraft presented a physical threat to US service members and Customs and Border Protection personnel.[Ars Technica]
- The engagement used capabilities derived from the Army's High-Energy Multipurpose Laser program, based on AeroVironment's vehicle-mounted Locust Laser Weapon System.[Ars Technica]
- AeroVironment initially delivered two functional prototypes to the armed forces in September 2025, followed by two upgraded systems in December 2025.[Ars Technica]
What remains uncertain
- The identities of the drone operators and the exact nature of the physical threat they posed have not been publicly detailed.[Ars Technica]