584 U.S. Military Lasers Got Unleashed On Cartel Drones

A temporary flight restriction was imposed at El Paso International Airport due to a suspected cartel drone incursion. The FAA and Trump administration attributed the incident to cartel drones, while the Pentagon reportedly loaned the army’s Locust laser system to Customs and Border Patrol. The Locust, a vehicle-mounted 20-26 kW directed energy laser, is designed to neutralise small drones and other aerial threats.The US Army is deploying advanced directed energy weapons, including high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves, to counter drone swarms, particularly those used by cartels at the southern border. These systems, integrated with radar networks and potentially airborne platforms, aim to provide a layered defence against the growing threat of drone incursions. The potential use of these technologies in scenarios like the recent El Paso incident highlights the evolving nature of border security and the need for robust counter-UAS capabilities.