In a significant step for border security, the U.S. Army’s mobile high‑energy laser system, known as AMP‑HEL, was used to defeat 11 drones that U.S. Northern Command assessed as supporting illegal cartel operations along the Texas‑Mexico border. The engagements, reported on September 4, demonstrate the growing role of directed‑energy technology in protecting our communities.
Laser technology adds a new layer of defense
AMP‑HEL entered border operations on August 24 and is part of Joint Task Force‑Southern Border’s layered defense strategy. By September 4, the task force had employed the laser against 11 unauthorized unmanned aircraft, contributing to a total of more than 300 drone defeats this calendar year through both kinetic and non‑kinetic means.
General Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, praised the “combined arms approach and fusion with mission partners” as a new capability to counter illegal activity on the border. The task force, which supports U.S. Customs and Border Protection, now has over 8,000 service members deployed across roughly 1,954 miles of the southern border.
How the system works
AMP‑HEL pairs a 20‑kilowatt‑class LOCUST laser with a General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle, creating a mobile platform that can be rapidly positioned where needed. The laser uses concentrated directed energy to damage or disable aerial targets, and it is integrated with sensors and tracking technology to locate and engage drones.
Prototypes were delivered to the Army in September 2025 and underwent testing at Yuma Proving Ground before soldiers received training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The system was added to the border’s layered defenses in August 2026.
Context and past incidents
The recent successes follow two earlier counter‑drone incidents near El Paso. In February, a Customs and Border Protection drone was mistakenly shot down after being deemed a threat, prompting the FAA to expand flight restrictions. Later that month, CBP used a loaned military laser to shoot down an object later identified as Mylar balloons, leading to a temporary airspace closure.
Following those events, the military, CBP, and the FAA pledged tighter coordination to avoid future errors. Senators Ted Cruz (R‑TX) and Ben Ray Luján (D‑NM) have called for a classified briefing to clarify the El Paso incidents.
What’s next for border defense
While the September 4 release did not detail the exact locations or outcomes of the laser engagements, officials emphasized that the technology adds a critical, non‑lethal option for protecting the border. As the task force continues to expand its detection and monitoring patrols, the use of directed‑energy weapons is expected to grow, offering a safer, more precise alternative to traditional kinetic measures.
Residents of border communities can take some comfort in knowing that cutting‑edge technology is being deployed to deter illegal smuggling operations and safeguard law‑enforcement personnel.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
