US News
Border officials cite steep drop in suspected cartel drones after laser deployment
The Hill reports that military and border sources observed a 75 percent decline in Texas border drone flights.
The short version
- Suspected cartel drone activity in Texas's Rio Grande Valley dropped 75 percent after the U.S. military deployed directed-energy laser systems.[The Hill]
- U.S. forces downed 300 suspected cartel drones during the first eight months of the year, including 100 in August alone.[The Hill]
- Officials note cartels may simply be altering their flight routes or utilizing alternative surveillance tactics to bypass the laser defenses.[The Hill]
Key facts
- Border and military sources report suspected cartel drone flights dropped 75 percent in Texas's Rio Grande Valley following high-energy laser deployments.[The Hill]
- Military forces working with U.S. Northern Command and NORAD intercepted 300 suspected cartel drones over eight months, including 100 in August.[The Hill]
- The U.S. Army acquired the high-energy laser system in 2025 and integrated it into its layered defense framework in August.[The Hill]
- Following an earlier brief airspace closure near El Paso over laser testing concerns, the Pentagon and FAA established safety procedures and ongoing coordination.[The Hill]
What remains uncertain
- Officials acknowledge that the drop in drone activity could reflect cartels shifting routes or employing different tactics rather than equipment loss alone.[The Hill]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.