A US military laser weapon is taking out cartel-linked drones at the southern border. It defeated 3 this week.

The US southern border has become a sandbox for personnel testing counter-drone systems. US Army photo by Sgt. Griffin Payne American troops used a laser weapon to destroy three cartel-linked drones near the southern border. Directed-energy weapons like lasers have been touted as cost-effective drone defenses. The southern border has become a sandbox for US forces testing counter-drone capabilities. US forces stationed at the southern border used a laser weapon to shoot down three cartel-linked drones this week, the military said Thursday. Drug cartels have been increasingly using uncrewed aerial systems to support operations. US troops at the border have responded with a range of counter-drone weapons , including directed-energy systems like lasers, to shoot down or disable the threats.