MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. The US Army has deployed a laser system developed under the AMP-HEL (Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser) program for the first time to intercept three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) believed to be launched by members of Mexican drug cartels, the Pentagon said in a statement released on August 28.
The drones, "posing a physical threat" to the United States, were shot down in early August by personnel of the Joint Task Force - Southern Border (JTF-SB). No details were provided regarding the distance at which the drones were struck or the specific type of laser used.
"The successful defeat of these adversarial drones is a direct testament to the readiness, vigilance, and technological edge of the JTF," said Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of JTF-SB. "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. We also greatly appreciate the support of our Mexican Army partners as we work together to combat this threat to the border region," he added.
The Pentagon expressed confidence that future combat operations will involve the use of both kamikaze drones and lasers. For this reason, as early as next year, the Pentagon intends to procure "hundreds of thousands" of unmanned aerial systems, as well as countermeasures against them, including directed-energy weapons.
