Drone Activity at U.S.-Mexico Border Drops 75% After U.S. Uses Laser Weapon, Military Says
- Deploying high-energy laser systems along the border, the U.S. Army neutralized 11 cartel-linked drones over 10 days, providing a permanent alternative to electronic jamming that merely forces temporary retreats.
- Cartels use small quadcopters to survey U.S. service member positions, helping smugglers identify areas with fewer personnel when moving people or drugs across the border.
- Data show a 75% reduction in drone activity across the Rio Grande Valley since laser operations began. Individual systems cost $17.4 million to $25 million, while each engagement costs approximately $3 per shot.
- The Army awarded a $465 million contract to AeroVironment this week, while operators coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure the weapon poses no risk to civilian aircraft.
- Army Col. Robert Felicio, commander of the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, said there has been a "significant" change in activity since the laser entered operation, though atmospheric conditions like rain can reduce beam effectiveness.
67 Articles
67 Articles
Military sees early success using lasers to take down drones at Mexican border
U.S. military officials have seen a 75% decline in Mexican drone sightings at the U.S.-Mexico border in the two weeks since debuting a high-energy laser weapon system to disable the small unmanned aerial systems, according to a new report. Military stationed at the border in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas used a new […]
The operation contemplates coordinated actions between the forces of both countries, under the scheme of the so-called “mirror operations”
By Sol Amaya, CNN en Español The Mexican authorities announced Monday the activation of an operation against drug trafficking drones in conjunction with the United States on the border between Tijuana and San Diego.The Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) said the operation, called ‘Águila Alta’, aims to “detect and combat
The National Defense Secretariat reported that Mexico and the United States activated the binational anti-drones operation Eagle Alta on the border between Tijuana, Baja California, and San Diego, California, to combat the use of these aircraft by organized crime, “every force within their territory.”
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