Overview
- Officials reported that less than two weeks after the laser first engaged drones on Aug. 25–26, drone probing in the Rio Grande Valley fell by about 75 percent.
- The Army used a version of AeroVironment’s LOCUST high‑energy laser and said the weapon disabled 11 drones over 10 days as part of roughly 300 interdictions this year.
- The Pentagon awarded a roughly $465 million contract to AeroVironment to expand high‑energy laser capability along the southern border.
- Military leaders said they coordinate with the FAA to limit risk to civilian aircraft and with Mexican authorities on threat tracking, while warning the drop could also reflect route changes by cartel operators.
- Analysts and officials caution lasers are not a cure‑all because weather and atmospherics can weaken beams, the system has safety and legal limits near populated airspace, and wider use could shift cartel tactics.