Trump highlights laser weapons as cost-effective tool against border drones
During a flight on Air Force One, Donald Trump praised the military’s laser systems for shooting down cartel drones over the Texas border, noting their low cost and high accuracy.
On a recent Air Force One trip, Donald Trump shifted a press briefing from music to the military’s laser defenses at the southern border. He described the lasers as a future-oriented, inexpensive alternative to costly Patriot missiles, claiming near-perfect accuracy. Since the FAA and Pentagon approved laser use in U.S. airspace, the Army’s multipurpose high-energy laser (AMP-HEL) has destroyed over 300 suspected cartel drones, including 11 in the Rio Grande Valley.
The effort falls under Operation Ardent Vanguard, a U.S. Northern Command initiative aimed at securing the border. General Gregory Guillot highlighted the combined-arms approach, while former Attorney General Pam Bondi urged focus on protecting the nation. Trump concluded that laser technology will play a major role in border security.
Why it matters
Laser defenses could dramatically lower costs while improving U.S. border security against illicit drone incursions.
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