Overview
- The Joint Task Force–Southern Border used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser to defeat three hostile unmanned aircraft systems during the late‑night hours of Aug. 25–26, 2026 after determining the drones posed a physical threat to service members and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Officials credited cooperation with Mexican Army partners but declined to say the precise strike locations or whether the drones were over U.S. or Mexican airspace when engaged.
- Earlier incidents this year included an accidental shootdown of a U.S. government/CBP drone and a temporary airspace shutdown near El Paso, which led the FAA and the Pentagon to complete safety reviews and set procedures for laser operations near civilian flights.
- Industry and Pentagon records show AMP‑HEL prototypes were delivered in 2025 and an AeroVironment spokesperson said one of the company’s directed‑energy systems was used, underlining the southern border’s role as a real‑world testing ground for counter‑drone technologies.
- The strike highlights growing cartel use of commercial drones for surveillance and smuggling, could speed wider fielding of non‑kinetic defenses to protect personnel, and is likely to draw further legal and diplomatic scrutiny over airspace and cross‑border sovereignty.