US Military Laser System Neutralizes Three Drones at Southern Border
The U.S. Army employed a 20-kilowatt laser weapon system to shoot down three drones near the Texas-Mexico border between August 25 and 26. The operation, led by Joint Task Force Southern Border, used the Locust system developed by AeroVironment, which detects, tracks, and disables targets with a concentrated light beam. This marks a real-world deployment of directed-energy technology in a border security context.
The Locust system operates at 20 kilowatts and uses sensors, cameras, or radar to lock onto targets before focusing a concentrated light beam that converts to heat, damaging or disabling the drone depending on distance and exposure time. AeroVironment delivered the first two prototypes in September 2025, followed by two upgraded versions in December that added radar and command-and-control integration for mobile defense platforms.
The operation occurred near the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, with JTF-SB commander Major General Curtis Taylor linking the drones to cartel networks involved in human smuggling and surveillance of US personnel. The exact drone origin and operating entities remain unconfirmed, though the action aligns with broader border security efforts under the current administration.
This deployment could signal a shift in how border security is conducted, potentially normalizing directed-energy weapons for law enforcement and military operations on US soil. Communities near the border may see increased technological surveillance, while criminal organizations could adapt by developing countermeasures or alternative tactics. The precedent set here may influence future defense procurement and public debate about the appropriate use of such weapons in domestic contexts.