Joint Task Force-Southern Border Uses Army High-Energy Laser Against Three Cartel Drones

SOUTHERN BORDER — On August 27 U.S. Southern Command reported that Joint Task Force-Southern Border personnel used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) during the late-night hours of August 25 and 26 against three unmanned aircraft the command called hostile and cartel-linked.

The weapon is a directed-energy system. It burns or disables a target with a focused beam rather than a missile.

The unmanned aircraft were judged hostile, the command said, because they were used in direct support of activity posing a physical threat to U.S. military personnel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection partners.

The same release called those nights the first use of AMP-HEL to defeat drones the command called cartel-linked. A statement released by NORTHCOM on August 28, stated, “Three cartel drones defeated.”

The task force pointed readers to a Defense Visual Information Distribution Service release and to a night photograph dated August 25 at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Neither command published the engagement coordinates, nor said whether the shots were taken in U.S. or Mexican airspace.

What Happened

• U.S. Northern Command on August 28 wrote, “Three cartel drones defeated,” and “The right tools. The right authorities. In the hands of trained warfighters.”

• U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Joint Task Force-Southern Border and of the 1st Armored Division, thanked Mexican Army partners in the August 27 release.

• The official U.S. Army photograph released with that account, taken by Sgt. Daniel Huerta and dated August 25 at Fort Bliss, is captioned as AMP-HEL use against a hostile unmanned aircraft. The caption does not name a vehicle, a crossing, or which side of the border the beam is on.

Official Statements

• U.S. Northern Command, August 28: “The right tools. The right authorities. In the hands of trained warfighters.”

• U.S. Northern Command, August 28: “Three cartel drones defeated.”

• U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander, Joint Task Force-Southern Border, August 27: “The successful defeat of these adversarial drones is a direct testament to the readiness, vigilance, and technological edge of the JTF.”

• Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, August 27: “Cartel networks are increasingly employing unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate illicit human-smuggling and actively spy on our personnel and law enforcement partners. By integrating layered countermeasures alongside advanced directed-energy capabilities like this laser system, we have made it clear that we will not tolerate hostile surveillance. We also greatly appreciate the support of our Mexican Army partners as we work together to combat this threat to the border region.”

• Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, August 27: “We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our CBP partners to secure this border, protect our service members, and disrupt these criminal organizations at every turn.”

• U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director, Joint Interagency Task Force 401, May 6: “Countering unlawful and adversarial drone activity is a homeland defense imperative.”

• FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, April 10: “Following a thorough, data-informed Safety Risk Assessment, we determined that these systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public. We will continue working with our interagency partners to ensure the National Airspace System remains safe while addressing emerging drone threats.”

• U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director, Joint Interagency Task Force 401, April 10: “This successful test showcases the significant advancements we’re making in counter-drone technology to ensure that our warfighters have the most advanced tools to defend the homeland.”