The U.S. Army’s AMP-HEL high-energy laser has destroyed 11 cartel-linked drones along the U.S.-Mexico border since entering operations in August, according to U.S. Northern Command on September 4, 2026. The tally shows that AeroVironment’s LOCUST-based system is moving beyond trials into sustained counter-drone use, giving U.S. forces a low-cost way to defeat repeated unmanned threats without relying on missiles or conventional gunfire. Read full Defense News at this link …
 |
| U.S. Army soldier operates the AMP-HEL high-energy laser weapon during counter-UAS operations, using directed energy to detect, track and defeat hostile drones while reducing reliance on conventional kinetic interceptors. (Picture source: U.S. Southern Command) |
Read More