Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

U.S. shoots down three drones with AMP-HEL near border

9/1/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Military Downs Drones

U.S. military shot down three drones near the Texas-Mexico border with an Army Multipurpose High-Energy Laser on Aug 25-26, 2026.
Joint Task Force-Southern Border under U.S. Northern Command led the operation.
Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor said the drones threatened U.S. troops and Customs and Border Protection partners.
The strike marks the first reported use of AMP-HEL against cartel-linked drones on the southern border.

Summary

IRGC Downs Reaper

IRGC said it downed a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper with a missile over Strait of Hormuz.
Bloomberg values the loss at roughly $1 billion in U.S. equipment.
Congressional testimony shows the Reaper fleet fell to about 135 aircraft below the 189 minimum.
General Atomics said fewer than ten new MQ-9A airframes remain and production has stopped.
IRGC Navy reported a supertanker ignited after two naval mines struck it in the Persian Gulf.

History

Historical Context

In July 1996 the United States and Israel signed an agreement to develop the Tactical High-Energy Laser (THEL), a deuterium-fluoride chemical laser funded with about $300 million. The system proved its capability in 2000-2001 by destroying 28 Katyusha rockets and five artillery shells during tests. Those early successes underpin today’s deployment of laser weapons against drones and the heightened vulnerability of U.S. UAVs in contested regions.

1 of 3

Military Downs Drones

U.S. military shot down three drones near the Texas-Mexico border with an Army Multipurpose High-Energy Laser on Aug 25-26, 2026.
Joint Task Force-Southern Border under U.S. Northern Command led the operation.
Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor said the drones threatened U.S. troops and Customs and Border Protection partners.
The strike marks the first reported use of AMP-HEL against cartel-linked drones on the southern border.

1 / 3