Army Uses 20kW Laser To Down Three Drones

The US Army successfully deployed a 20-kilowatt high-energy laser system to neutralize three drones near the US-Mexico border between the night of August 25 and the early morning of August 26. Official reports indicated that these drones were "posing a physical threat to US military personnel and CBP partners," referring to Customs and Border Patrol. The operation was conducted in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and was spearheaded by the Joint Task Force Southern Border (JTF-SB), an entity operating under the purview of US Northern Command. Authorities confirmed that the technology utilized in this engagement was derived from the Army’s High-Energy Multipurpose Laser (AMP-HEL) system. This military program is dedicated to the integration of high-energy lasers for the development of novel defense capabilities. The initiative for the AMP-HEL system commenced in September 2025, with AeroVironment, a firm specializing in advanced defense technology, delivering the initial two operational prototypes of these laser-based weaponry systems to the US Armed Forces. Subsequently, in December of the same year, the program underwent expansion, leading to the delivery of two additional, enhanced systems. The specific platform employed in this operation is identified as the Locust Laser Weapon System. According to its manufacturer, this system is engineered for vehicular mounting, a configuration that the Army has adopted for the versions it has received. The Locust system represents a significant advancement in directed energy weapons, offering a non-kinetic means of countering aerial threats. The successful interception of the drones highlights the growing capabilities of directed energy systems in modern warfare and border security. The AMP-HEL program aims to provide a versatile and effective solution against a range of aerial threats, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The deployment near the Rio Grande Valley underscores the strategic importance of such technologies in safeguarding national borders and personnel. The use of a 20-kilowatt laser signifies a substantial power output, capable of delivering sufficient energy to disable or destroy drone targets at operational ranges. This event marks a concrete application of advanced laser technology in a real-world security scenario, demonstrating a shift towards more sophisticated defensive measures against evolving aerial threats.