The Army just used a 20-kilowatt laser to take out three drones
The US Army deployed a high-energy multipurpose laser system to shoot down three drones near the US-Mexico border between August 25-26 The Locust Laser Weapon System, developed by AeroVironment, operates at 20 kilowatts and uses concentrated light beams to detect, track, and destroy targets The AMP-HEL program began in September 2025 with prototype deliveries, expanding to include radar and command-and-control integration by December Officials linked the targeted drones to cartel networks engage
Analysis
TL;DR
- The US Army deployed a high-energy multipurpose laser system to shoot down three drones near the US-Mexico border between August 25-26
- The Locust Laser Weapon System, developed by AeroVironment, operates at 20 kilowatts and uses concentrated light beams to detect, track, and destroy targets
- The AMP-HEL program began in September 2025 with prototype deliveries, expanding to include radar and command-and-control integration by December
- Officials linked the targeted drones to cartel networks engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and hostile surveillance of military personnel
- This marks a significant real-world deployment of directed-energy weapons in border security operations under the Trump administration
Why It Matters
This represents one of the first confirmed combat deployments of high-energy laser systems for counter-drone operations, signaling a major shift in how militaries approach asymmetric threats like UAVs. For AI and defense technology practitioners, it demonstrates the growing convergence of directed-energy weapons with autonomous targeting systems, sensor fusion, and real-time decision-making platforms that are essential for modern battlefield applications.
Technical Details
- The Locust Laser Weapon System operates at 20 kilowatts, using a concentrated light beam that progresses through detection, tracking, illumination, damaging, and destruction phases depending on distance, exposure time, and target characteristics
- The system integrates sensors, cameras, and radars for target acquisition, then focuses the beam with precision on moving objects before applying an additional electrical energy charge to convert light into destructive heat
- Recent versions delivered in December 2025 include radar and command-and-control systems, enabling integration into complex mobile defense platforms rather than functioning as standalone devices
- The AMP-HEL (High-Energy Multipurpose Laser) program is the overarching military initiative, with AeroVironment as the primary contractor responsible for prototype development and delivery
- The system is designed for vehicle mounting, allowing mobility and rapid repositioning along border regions
Industry Insight
- The successful operational deployment of HEL systems validates the commercial-military partnership model, suggesting that defense contractors like AeroVironment will see accelerated procurement cycles for directed-energy technologies across multiple branches
- The integration of radar, command-and-control, and AI-driven targeting into laser systems points to a broader industry trend toward networked, multi-sensor defense platforms rather than isolated weapon systems
- Border security applications of military-grade laser technology may face ethical and legal scrutiny, prompting policymakers and tech developers to establish clearer guidelines for directed-energy weapon use in civilian-adjacent environments
Disclaimer: The above content is generated by AI and is for reference only.