US border task force uses laser to down 3 cartel-linked drones Joint Task Force-Southern Border said it used the Army’s AMP-HEL high-energy laser to defeat three hostile drones over two days this week while supporting CBP under USNORTHCOM. The unit said the #UAVs were tied to cartel activity and posed a physical threat to troops and border agents. The system was identified as an AeroVironment platform in a release .