The U.S. military successfully intercepted three drones associated with Mexican cartels at the southern border using a high-energy laser system. This operation took place overnight from Tuesday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 26, along the Texas-Mexico border.
This operation was carried out by the Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), a unit operating under U.S. Northern Command, in collaboration with Customs and Border Protection.
According to an official statement from Fort Bliss, Texas, military personnel utilized the Army's Advanced Multi-Purpose High-Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) to intercept and destroy these unmanned aircraft, which posed a direct physical threat to U.S. soldiers and border agents.
Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of the JTF-SB, described the operation as a clear demonstration of the military capabilities deployed in the area.
"The successful neutralization of these hostile drones is a testament to the preparedness, vigilance, and technological advantage of the Joint Task Force," stated Taylor.
Increased Cartel Drone Usage
Taylor also warned that cartel networks are increasingly using drones to facilitate illegal human trafficking and to surveil military personnel and CBP agents. He emphasized that the integration of advanced countermeasures signals zero tolerance for hostile surveillance.
The Department of War's Chief Technology Officer summarized the official stance on social media platform X: "The United States will continue to counter adversarial drone incursions with speed-of-light lethality."
AMP-HEL System's First Official Use
The EFE agency reported that this was the first time the AMP-HEL system was officially used to neutralize cartel drones at the southern border. However, there were at least two previous incidents with similar technology in February 2026 near El Paso International Airport and Fort Hancock, Texas, which temporarily closed airspace.
The AMP-HEL system operates with a 20-kilowatt laser mounted on tactical vehicles and was developed by AeroVironment. The initial prototypes were delivered to the Army in August 2025, followed by a second round of units mounted on JLTV vehicles in December of the same year.
International Coordination and Sovereignty Concerns
Major General Taylor specifically thanked the Mexican Army for their support during the operation, indicating that President Claudia Sheinbaum's government was informed in advance.
Sheinbaum has repeatedly warned that any unilateral U.S. actions on Mexican soil would violate national sovereignty, although the August 25-26 operations took place on U.S. territory.
The JTF-SB has been active since March 2025 under Operation Ardent Vanguard, with approximately 8,000 troops stationed along the 1,954-mile southern border.
Since its inception, the force has reinforced hundreds of miles with wire obstacles, conducted tens of thousands of detection patrols, and thousands of reconnaissance flights in coordination with the Mexican Army.
Between 2022 and May 2025, the Border Patrol detected over 155,000 drone flights linked to Mexico, particularly in Texas, highlighting the significant challenge faced by security forces in the region.
Understanding U.S. Border Security Measures
What is the AMP-HEL system used for?
The AMP-HEL system is used to intercept and destroy drones that pose a direct threat to U.S. military and border agents. It employs a high-energy laser mounted on tactical vehicles.
How do Mexican cartels use drones?
Mexican cartels use drones to facilitate illegal trafficking of people and to conduct surveillance on military personnel and CBP agents at the U.S. border.
What is the role of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border?
The JTF-SB operates under U.S. Northern Command to support border security, conducting patrols and reconnaissance flights along the southern border to counter illegal activities.