U.S. Explores High-Energy Lasers to Counter Border Drones

Disagreements within government over use of laser weapon system against drones near the southern border

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The U.S. government has been exploring the use of high-energy laser weapon systems to take down drones near the southern border, leading to a temporary flight ban in the El Paso area earlier this week. Customs and Border Protection used the laser system, which has been deployed overseas but not for regular domestic use, despite safety concerns from the Federal Aviation Administration. The laser system is one of several technologies the government is considering to counter the growing problem of cartel drones being used for surveillance and other illicit activities along the border.

Why it matters

The use of high-energy lasers to counter drones near the U.S. southern border highlights the ongoing challenge of securing the border and addressing the threat posed by cartel drones. It also underscores the need for better coordination and communication between government agencies like the FAA and the Department of Defense when it comes to deploying new security technologies that could impact air traffic and public safety.

The details

After training by the U.S. military, Customs and Border Protection used a palletized high-energy laser system earlier this week to take down drones near the border, even though the FAA still had safety concerns about the technology. The laser system works by detecting an aerial threat, emitting a laser beam that can quickly zero in on the target and damage or disable it. However, it turned out that the laser had taken down at least one party balloon, not just foreign drones. Drones have been a steady problem along the southern border, with cartels using them primarily for surveillance to support their other illegal activities.

  • Earlier this week, the FAA imposed a surprise flight ban over El Paso amid the disagreements over the use of the high-energy laser.
  • The flight restriction was lifted after Wednesday, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying "the threat has been neutralized."
  • The Pentagon said it had nothing to add when asked when or how the threat was eliminated.

The players

Customs and Border Protection

The U.S. agency that used the high-energy laser system to take down drones near the southern border.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that has safety concerns about the use of high-energy lasers and imposed a temporary flight ban in the El Paso area.

Tom Karako

A senior fellow and the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for International and Strategic Studies.

Austin Doctor

An associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the director of strategic initiatives at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center.

Glen VanHerck

A retired Air Force general who served as the commander of U.S. Northern Command and NORAD from 2020 to 2024.

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What they’re saying

“The laser, of course, is essentially instantaneous, and so it's relatively easy for something that's doing the speed of light to hit exactly the point on the object that it wants to do.”

— Tom Karako, Senior Fellow and Director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for International and Strategic Studies

“The cartel drone problem is pervasive across the U.S. southern border.”

— Austin Doctor, Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (CBS News)

“But there's so much more to be done. They need to be empowered to get the right policy in place for who defends what specific critical infrastructure with what specific capability.”

— Glen VanHerck, Retired Air Force General (CBS News)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.