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2026-08-30 Caribbean-Latin America

US uses lasers to shoot down three drones linked to drug cartels on the border with Mexico

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Posted by badanov 2026-08-30 00:00|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [231 views ] Top
File under: Narcos

[AI]
AMP-HEL

The **Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL)** is a directed-energy weapon program designed to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and other threats for the U.S. Army. The system integrates **AeroVironment’s 20-kilowatt-class LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS)** onto mobile vehicle platforms, primarily the **Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)** and the **Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)**.

Developed under a contract awarded to **BlueHalo**, the AMP-HEL program has progressed through two key prototyping increments:
* **First Increment:** Delivered in September 2025, featuring two **ISV-mounted** prototypes that underwent testing at Yuma Proving Ground and training at Fort Sill.
* **Second Increment:** Delivered in December 2025, consisting of two **JLTV-mounted** systems equipped with a larger aperture beam director, radar, and command-and-control systems.

The system has seen operational deployment, notably being used by **Joint Task Force Southern Border** in August 2026 to neutralize cartel-linked drones near the U.S.-Mexico border. This incident, along with earlier safety assessments regarding civilian airspace, has facilitated agreements between the FAA and the Pentagon for domestic laser counter-drone use.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-08-30 00:09|| 2026-08-30 00:09|| Front Page Top

2 This was it 2010. Took me a while to remember

https://www.intellectualventures.com/what-we-do

Posted by Jefe101 2026-08-30 00:37|| 2026-08-30 00:37|| Front Page Top

3 https://www.intellectualventures.com/what-we-do

The Photonic Fence
Insect-Killing Laser Device
Our core focus and driving inspiration throughout our existence has been the goal to create a device that not only monitors insects, but also identifies the undesirable insects and selectively shoots them down using lasers. We call this a “Photonic Fence” because it uses photons to protect a defined area from insect incursion. We built several prototypes of this device and continue to test and improve these as we work towards introducing the lethal Photonic Fence.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-08-30 10:12|| 2026-08-30 10:12|| Front Page Top

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