Drone activity at the U.S.-Mexico border has reportedly decreased by 75% following the deployment of a high-energy laser weapon system by the U.S. military, according to military officials. The system was first used to shoot down three drones on August 25 and 26 after months of training, which included an incident that temporarily closed El Paso's airport earlier this year. Since its deployment, the military has worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure the laser does not interfere with civilian aircraft. While the military already uses jamming technology to force drones to return to their origin, the laser offers a more direct method to neutralize suspected threats. Since the start of the year, the military has intercepted 300 drones linked to drug cartels, with 11 destroyed by the laser over a ten-day period. Army Col. Robert Felicio, commander of the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade deployed to the border, said there has been a "significant" decline in drone activity since the laser was introduced. While he acknowledged that cartels may be using different routes to avoid detection, the drop in drone traffic coincided with the system’s deployment. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, previously told lawmakers that about 1,000 drones cross the southern border each month. During a test of the system, soldiers used an Xbox-style controller and a camera feed displayed on a tablet-like device to track a drone and deploy the laser. The system, known as LOCUST and developed by AeroVironment, caused visible damage to the drone, including a damaged propeller and a missing battery. The military has multiple laser systems deployed along the border and recently awarded its first-ever contract for high-energy lasers to AeroVironment, worth $465 million. However, the laser is not a complete solution for countering drones due to limitations like rain or humidity, which can reduce the effectiveness of the laser beam. Navy Admiral Daryl Caudle has pushed for more investment in high-energy lasers, citing their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional air defense systems. Each laser shot costs about $3, while other systems rely on interceptors that can cost millions of dollars each. Military officials have worked with the FAA to ensure the laser is used safely and have coordinated with Mexican authorities to track potential threats. Drones used by cartels are typically small quadcopters, used to monitor U.S. service members and law enforcement during smuggling operations. Disrupting these drones is believed to have a financial impact on the cartels, according to Army Lt. Col. Ray Richards. Cartels are also using armed drones within Mexico to attack rival groups, according to a report by the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center. The report documented 221 incidents between 2021 and 2025, resulting in 77 fatalities. Military officials are evaluating the potential threat these drones pose to U.S. service members and law enforcement along the border. During a visit to an overlook in the Rio Grande Valley, Felicio and Richards highlighted the close proximity between U.S. personnel and the launch points of these drones.