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US military uses high-energy laser to down three cartel drones near Mexico border
The US military successfully used an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system to shoot down three drones linked to Mexican drug cartels in the Rio Grande Valley, near the US-Mexico border. The operation, conducted by the Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB) under US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), took place between the late hours of August 25 and the early morning of August 26.
Major-General Curtis Taylor, commander of JTF-SB, stated that cartel networks are increasingly using unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate illegal human smuggling and to spy on military and law enforcement personnel. The military characterized the drones as a “physical threat” to US personnel and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.
While the exact location of the strikes was not disclosed, and it remains unclear if they occurred over US or Mexican territory, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that any unilateral US action on Mexican soil would constitute a grave violation of national sovereignty.
This deployment of directed-energy technology aligns with the administration of President Donald Trump's efforts to intensify border security and combat criminal organizations. AeroVironment Inc. previously delivered its first two multipurpose high-energy lasers to the US military last summer.
Entities
AeroVironment Inc. · Claudia Sheinbaum · Curtis Taylor · Mexico · Rio Grande Valley · US Military · United States Army · United States military
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] AeroVironment Inc. delivered its first two multipurpose high-energy lasers to the US military last summer. ogportal.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.index.hr · www.mojkraj.hr · www.haberaktuel.com · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Major-General Curtis Taylor stated that cartels use drones for smuggling and spying. ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.aktuality.sk · www.jutarnji.hr · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that unilateral US actions on Mexican soil would violate sovereignty. ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.aktuality.sk · www.jutarnji.hr · +3 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The operation took place in the Rio Grande Valley near the US-Mexico border. www.mojkraj.hr · ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.it-boltwise.de · +5 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] The US military used a multipurpose high-energy laser to shoot down three drones. www.mojkraj.hr · ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.it-boltwise.de · +14 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] The US military used a multipurpose high-energy laser to shoot down three drones near the US-Mexico border. www.mojkraj.hr · ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.it-boltwise.de · +14 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that unilateral US actions on Mexican soil would violate national sovereignty. ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.aktuality.sk · www.jutarnji.hr · +8 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Major-General Curtis Taylor stated that cartel networks use drones for illegal smuggling and spying on law enforcement. ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.aktuality.sk · www.jutarnji.hr · +13 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The operation took place in the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas. www.mojkraj.hr · ogportal.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.haberaktuel.com · www.it-boltwise.de · +5 more