Full Breakdown
Laser Weapon Deployment Cuts Drone Activity Along the U.S.–Mexico Border
9/8/2026, 3:26:10 AM
Core Event
Less than two weeks after the military first employed a high-energy laser system on August 25 and 26 to down suspicious drones, drone activity in the Rio Grande Valley fell by roughly 75 percent, according to officials who briefed CBS News in a report published on September 7. The laser, mounted on a vehicle and aimed via a tablet-style interface, delivered a brief burst of heat that disabled the target drone.
Background & Context
President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to close portions of the U.S.–Mexico border to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In response, the Department of Defense deployed the laser system after months of training, including a February incident that prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily shut down airspace near El Paso. The system complements existing tools such as electronic jamming, giving troops the ability to permanently neutralize drones they deem a threat from Mexican cartels.
Data & Statistics
- Military officials report a 75 percent reduction in drone incursions after the laser’s debut.
- Since the start of the year, the armed forces have downed 300 drones they believe are linked to cartels; 11 of those were destroyed by the laser within a ten-day span.
- Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, told lawmakers in 2024 that the southern border sees about 1,000 drone incursions each month.
Official Statements & Responses
Army Col. Gen. Guillot highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting the roughly 1,000 monthly incursions and the need for coordinated efforts with the FAA to avoid civilian disruption.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you just send it [drones] back, and then it comes back up or is defeated temporarily, but the game changer is ensuring that that tool can't be used again against you,” — Army Col Robert Felicio
- “When you just send it back and then it comes back up or is defeated temporarily, but the game changer is ensuring that that tool can't be used again against you,” — Army Col. Robert Felicio
