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U.S. military uses laser system to disable border surveillance drones
U.S. military forces successfully neutralized three commercial drones used by human traffickers to monitor authorities along the U.S.-Mexico border. The operation, conducted by the South Border Joint Task Force, took place during the nights of August 25 and 26 within United States territory.
To disable the aircraft, the military deployed the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system, a directed-energy weapon designed to target small to medium-sized unmanned aerial systems. The use of this technology marks a significant operational application of the laser system in a real-world mission to counter cartel-related surveillance.
The incident occurred under the 'mirror' operations framework, a collaborative security arrangement between the U.S. and Mexico active since February 2025. This framework allows both nations to conduct simultaneous surveillance and reconnaissance within their own respective borders to combat the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and migrants.
Entities
AeroVironment · Curtis Taylor · Joint Task Force – Southern Border · Mexico · North American Aerospace Defense Command · Secretariat of National Defense · Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional · U.S. Northern Command · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The South Border Joint Task Force detected and disabled three commercial drones during the nights of August 25 and 26. www.leo.bo · politicosaldesnudo.com.mx · laopinion.com · defence24.pl · www.gandul.ro
- [● 3 SOURCES] The operation was part of 'mirror' concurrent operations, where both countries conduct simultaneous surveillance within their own territories. www.leo.bo · politicosaldesnudo.com.mx · laopinion.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The neutralization of the drones occurred exclusively within United States territory. www.leo.bo · politicosaldesnudo.com.mx · laopinion.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 'mirror' operation framework has been in effect since February 5, 2025. www.leo.bo · politicosaldesnudo.com.mx · laopinion.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The drones were used by human traffickers to monitor the movements of authorities in the border area. www.leo.bo · politicosaldesnudo.com.mx · laopinion.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system was used to neutralize the drones. www.leo.bo · politicosaldesnudo.com.mx · defence24.pl · www.gandul.ro