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ConflictU.S. military uses laser to down three Mexican cartel drones near Texas border
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The U.S. military used an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser in southern Texas' Rio Grande Valley to shoot down three Mexican drug cartel drones late Tuesday and early Wednesday, according to U.S. officials. The North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command stated the drones posed a physical threat to U.S. military and Customs and Border Protection personnel. The precise location of the strikes was not disclosed, nor whether they occurred over U.S. or Mexican territory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously stated that any unilateral U.S. action on Mexican soil would be a grave breach of sovereignty. The operation is part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on immigration and cartels, fulfilling 2024 campaign promises. The border task force, established in 2025, has conducted tens of thousands of patrols. The laser system was supplied by AeroVironment Inc, which delivered its first two units last summer. This incident follows a February mishap where the military accidentally shot down a U.S. government drone with a similar system.
Source report
The U.S. military used a laser in southern Texas’ Rio Grande Valley this week to shoot down three Mexican drug cartel drones near the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. officials confirmed on Thursday.
Operation Details
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command stated that the operation took place late Tuesday and early Wednesday, utilizing the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser.
The military did not disclose the precise location of the strikes, nor clarify whether they occurred over U.S. or Mexican territory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously stated that any unilateral U.S. action on Mexican soil would constitute a grave breach of her country’s sovereignty.
Threat Assessment
The military stated that the drones posed “a physical threat” to U.S. military personnel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents.
“Cartel networks are increasingly employing unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate illicit human-smuggling and actively spy on our personnel and law enforcement partners,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Joint Task Force–Southern Border.
Broader Context
The announcement comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to curb immigration and cartel activity, fulfilling promises from the 2024 presidential campaign.
Since its establishment in 2025, the border task force has conducted tens of thousands of detection and monitoring patrols, along with thousands of observation flights.
Laser System Details
The military did not specify the manufacturer of the laser system used in the operation.
- AeroVironment Inc. delivered its first two multi-purpose high-energy lasers to the U.S. Army last summer.
- The U.S. Army previously deployed AeroVironment Inc.’s LOCUST system.
- That deployment led to a seven-hour airspace shutdown near Texas’ El Paso International Airport earlier this year.
In February, the military accidentally shot down a U.S. government drone using a laser-based anti-drone system, congressional aides told Reuters at the time.
Cartel Drone Use
U.S. security officials have expressed concern about the use of drones by Mexican cartels, which primarily employ crudely adapted versions of off-the-shelf models to drop drug packages or surveil trafficking routes.
In parts of Mexico farther from the U.S. border, cartels have used drones to drop explosives in deadly attacks. U.S. and Mexican authorities are working together to address the growing use of drones in the border region.
Source
Army TimesWestern
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U.S. Military Uses Laser to Down Three Mexican Cartel Drones Near Border