U.S. Army pilots counter-drone systems along the Mexico border amid rising cartel use

In a Northern Command exercise held in September at Falcon Peak, Arizona, the U.S. Army evaluated a suite of counter-drone technologies to protect the southern border from cartel-operated UAVs. Demonstrations included detection radars, a Teledyne FLIR sensor suite, Allen Control Systems’ automated "Bullfrog" gun, Anduril’s Ghost drone and a Powerus interceptor drone. Brigadier General Brian Filler reported 378 drone incursions over the last 30 days, noting they are largely commercial drones carrying surveillance cameras.

Since August, lasers have been used to down 11 such drones. Military leaders, including Brigadier General Matt Ross, said the border provides a realistic testing ground to emulate the rapid iteration seen in Ukraine’s conflict. The exercise also highlighted the Pentagon’s growing reliance on venture-backed firms such as Anduril, Shield AI and Saronic.