Army Deploys High-Energy Laser on Southern Border

On the night of August 25, 2024, a Joint Task Force-Southern Border unit employed the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) to neutralize three unmanned aircraft linked to Mexican drug-cartel networks. The 20 kW laser, mounted on a tactical vehicle, was described as “hostile” because the drones were supporting activities that threatened U.S. military personnel and Customs and Border Protection agents. The engagements were announced on August 27 by the task-force command at Fort Bliss, with Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of JTF-SB, stating that the successful shots demonstrate the force’s readiness and technological advantage.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights Interesting Engineering

AMP-HEL is a prototyping effort led by the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. The core laser, known as LOCUST, was originally developed by BlueHalo and is now produced by AeroVironment (AV). The first two prototypes were delivered in September 2025 and integrated onto General Motors Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle. A second tranche of two units, equipped with a larger aperture beam director, was delivered on December 18 2025 and mounted on Oshkosh’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. Testing at Yuma Proving Ground and training at Fort Sill validated performance, mobility, safety and lethality.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights

Analysts note that intercepting a low-cost drone with a conventional missile can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per shot, whereas the laser consumes only electricity generated by the host vehicle. *Interesting Engineering* estimates the cost per laser shot at roughly $3, though AV has not confirmed the figure. The laser’s “virtually unlimited” power supply contrasts with the finite ammunition of missile batteries, a point highlighted by *DroneXL* after the border recorded over 1,000 drone sightings per month at the start of 2026.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights

• Major General Curtis Taylor (JTF-SB commander) said the engagements illustrate the task force’s readiness and the Army’s edge in counter-unmanned-aircraft operations.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights

• John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems for AeroVironment, emphasized that real-world events have created an urgent need for directed-energy weapons and expressed confidence that LOCUST meets that need.

Interesting Engineering

• Army Recognition reported that the laser was demonstrated in June 2026 at White Sands, New Mexico, in a briefing attended by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as part of the “Golden Dome for America” program.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights

• U.S. Northern Command did not disclose whether the downed drones originated on the U.S. or Mexican side of the border, indicating ongoing legal and diplomatic questions.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights

• “The need for these systems from real world events is clear: the time is now for directed energy to get into the hands of warfighters everywhere and we are confident that LOCUST meets that need,” — John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems for AV

Interesting Engineering

In July 2026 the Army signed contracts for the Joint Laser Weapon System, the successor to AMP-HEL. The initial contract value is $86 million with a ceiling of $847 million, reflecting confidence in scaling laser-truck capabilities after the Texas deployment.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights

Public sources have not identified the nationality of the downed drones, and no official casualty or damage figures have been released. Further transparency on rules of engagement and cross-border legal authority remains pending.

U.S. Army Uses High-Energy Laser at Mexico Border for the First Time, Downs Three Cartel-Linked Drones over Two Nights