US military downs 3 suspected cartel drones with laser

(KVIA) -- Friday, the U.S. Department of War said service members used a laser system to stop three drones suspected to be linked to drug cartels in the southern border.

Directed-energy weapons, including lasers, can be used to take out drones and incoming missiles, according to the department. It said it's cheaper than using kinetic weapons like missiles.

This week, the Joint Task Force Southern Border used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system for the first time in the southern border, the DOW said.

"The department is proliferating directed-energy technology to protect the homeland and the southern border," a DOW official said. 

Using the lasers is part of the department's counter-drone effort, the official said.

In June, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. There, he observed directed-energy systems in operation, including a test for the Golden Dome for America.

The Golden Dome is a planned multi-layer missile defense shield, according to the department.

The DOW said it will procure hundreds of thousands of drones as soon as next year.