US Military Uses Laser to Down Three Mexican Cartel Drones Near Border

The U.S. military successfully deployed a laser system this week to intercept and neutralize three drones reportedly operated by Mexican drug cartels near the U.S.-Mexico border. The unmanned aircraft systems were shot down late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning using an "Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system". U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), through its southern border Joint Task Force, confirmed the operation, though specific details on the exact location along the border or the cartel affiliations were not immediately disclosed.

The drones were identified as hostile, posing a physical threat to U.S. military personnel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. According to Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of the Joint Task Force–Southern Border, cartel networks are increasingly utilizing drones for illicit human smuggling and surveillance of law enforcement and military personnel. This incident highlights the military's ongoing efforts to integrate advanced directed-energy capabilities and layered countermeasures to address such emerging threats at the border.