TECHNOLOGY · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
US Army Deploys High‑Energy Laser to Shoot Down Three Drones at Texas Border
WHY IT MATTERS
The successful use of a laser weapon demonstrates the Army’s operational readiness with high‑energy lasers, expanding border‑security options and reducing reliance on conventional munitions.
What happened
Between the night of August 25 and the early morning of August 26, the U. S. Army used a high‑energy multipurpose laser to down three drones near the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
The operation was conducted by the Joint Task Force Southern Border (JTF‑SB) under U. S. Northern Command.
Army agents employed technology from the High‑Energy Multipurpose Laser (AMP‑HEL) program, specifically the Locust Laser Weapon System. The program began in September 2025 when AeroVironment delivered the first two functional prototypes to the Armed Forces, with two improved systems added in December 2025. The Locust platform is designed for mounting on military vehicles, allowing rapid deployment in border‑security missions.
PRIMARY SOURCES
The Army just used a 20-kilowatt laser to take out three drones
Ars Technica · Fernanda González, wired.com · Discovery only; Condé Nast copyright terms apply