Using High-Energy Laser, US Shoots Down Drones Near Mexico Border

The U.S. Army employed a 20-kilowatt High-Energy Multipurpose Laser (AMP-HEL) “Locust” system to destroy three drones near the Rio Grande Valley on the night of Aug. 25-26, citing a physical threat to military and Customs and Border Patrol personnel. The laser, mounted on a vehicle and integrated with radar and command-and-control sensors, tracks and heats targets to disable or destroy them, and officials suggested the drones were linked to drug-cartel operations.