US forces are using more sensors and shooters to detect more drug cartel drones at the southern border
US forces are detecting more drug cartel drones at the southern border. They're testing different counter-drone systems, including lasers.
The US Department of Defense is utilizing an increasing number of counter-drone technologies along the southern border to detect more drug cartel drones. As detection rates rise, the US is employing a variety of systems such as lasers, creating a layered defense network. US officials are testing emerging counter-UAS systems at the southern border to better understand how cartels are utilizing drones, as well as to develop a comprehensive defense against them.
The Pentagon has gained valuable insights into cartel drone usage through ongoing testing, which will aid in the creation of a larger, multi-layered defense against unmanned aerial systems. Late last month, US Northern Command completed its fourth iteration of Falcon Peak, an exercise held in Arizona to evaluate new counter-drone systems.
The task forces and agencies participating in these efforts are working towards establishing more robust counter-UAS capabilities to detect, neutralize, and destroy threats to the United States. Over the past month, there have been 378 detections of cartel drones, according to US Air Force Brig. Gen. Brian Filler, deputy commanding general for operations with JTF-SB.
These drones primarily serve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance purposes for drug trafficking. The majority of them are commercial off-the-shelf drones equipped with surveillance devices, such as cameras. US forces have deployed a range of systems to identify and track these drones, including high electro-optic cameras for visual identification and sensors to detect drone launches near the border.
In late August, the Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) reported successfully using a laser weapon to destroy three cartel drones, employing the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser. Lasers have emerged as a promising and sustainable alternative to traditional interceptors for destroying small drones, although they also pose power-generation challenges.
As US military officials stated, no single technology can effectively combat all threats, emphasizing the need for a diverse array of counter-drone systems.
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