United States tests AI technology to counter narcodrones

The United States Army is conducting tests in Yuma, Arizona, to develop advanced defenses against 'narcodrones'—unmanned aerial vehicles used by organized crime to transport drugs, weapons, or money. As part of the Falcon Peaky plan, the U.S. Army Northern Command is testing artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to detect and neutralize these threats.

The testing involves various technologies, including interceptor drones, radar, automated machine guns, and high-energy lasers. One notable system being evaluated is the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL), which uses high-power lasers to neutralize targets without traditional projectiles.

Private defense companies such as Anduril Industries, Shield AI, and Saronic are participating in these trials. Technologies being tested include kinetic interceptors like the Anvil, autonomous vertical take-off and landing vehicles like the Roadrunner, and electromagnetic warfare systems like Pulsar. This initiative follows a trend of using low-cost commercial drones for illegal surveillance and smuggling, with authorities reporting approximately 380 illegal drone crossings in a single month.