The Is U.S. Using Lasers As Part Of Its Air Defense. It Shot Three Drug Cartel Drones Down Along Border.

The U.S. military has used lasers to shoot down Mexican drug cartel drones, officials confirmed.

Reuters reported that officials have said the military has used lasers three times to take out drug cartel drones near Texas’ Rio Grande Valley along the U.S. border with Mexico.

“Cartel networks are increasingly employing unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate illicit human-smuggling and actively spy on our personnel and law enforcement partners,” Major General Curtis Taylor, the commander of Joint Task Force–Southern Border, said in a statement to Reuters.

The confirmation of effective use of lasers to take out drones comes after a report in Stars and Stripes in July that lasers were being deployed in Europe to bolster air defense. The Compact Laser Weapon System was described as a directed-energy weapon that would be part of air defense.

At the time, the laser system was described as not not operating as a standalone weapons system, but rather as an integrated part of a layered defense architecture meant to help meet the evolving challenges of air defense.

“The modern threat has erased the idea of a safe haven,” said Col. Victoria Habas, director for integrated air and missile defense planning and programs stated. “Inexpensive and highly adaptable (drone) technology can hold any installation or operating location at risk.”

In the use of lasers on the U.S. border with Mexico, the military did not disclose the manufacturer of the system. However, Reuters noted that AeroVironment Inc delivered two multi-purpose high-energy lasers to the U.S. Army year. Previously, the army had deployed AeroVironment Inc’s LOCUST system.

The news of laser weapons systems being integrated into air defense comes amid increasing reports of missile stockpile shortages. The Associated Press reported this week that a shortage of missile interceptors was “beyond critical” and largely caused by the war with Iran.

The military did not allude to its munitions challenges in announcing the use of lasers as part of its air defense in Europe or in announcing its effective use of lasers versus cartel drones.