The US military shot down three unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) allegedly operated by drug cartels along the US-Mexico border.
According to the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), the Joint Task Force unit used an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system to take down the drones.
No details were disclosed on what specific kind of drones were neutralized or which cartels they may have belonged to.
A USNORTHCOM spokesperson told CBS News that the operation was conducted with the cooperation of all concerned organizations operating along the border.
Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Commander Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor said the integrated counter-drone approach by the US military reflects its push towards deterring illicit smuggling activities executed by cartel networks.
“By integrating layered countermeasures alongside advanced directed-energy capabilities like this laser system, we have made it clear that we will not tolerate hostile surveillance,” Taylor stressed.
Protocol Disagreements
The US military has already been using laser systems to take down drone threats in its operations, with a similar directed energy weapon previously used to shoot down a UAS in southwest Texas.
However, the Pentagon has run into conflict with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over disagreement on safety protocols over military drone tests with high-energy lasers, even prompting the FAA to briefly shut down commercial airspace in El Paso.
Airline companies claimed the Pentagon has been using official military posts in Texas for anti-cartel drone operations while refusing to share information with the FAA.
