The United States Army used a high-energy military laser to shoot down drones linked to drug cartels on the Texas border. The weapon, with a power output of 20 kilowatts, was deployed during the night of August 25 and in the early hours of August 26 in the Rio Grande Valley.
This event marks the transition of military lasers from test ranges to real combat, something that for a long time was considered near-future technology. Although tests demonstrated impressive results, transforming these systems into reliable and practical weapons for field use proved to be a significant challenge.
Drug cartels have been using drones for drug transport and surveillance along the U.S.-Mexico border, becoming a growing threat that American military forces have sought to counter with new technologies.
