Mexico and U.S. Launch “High Eagle” Operation to Counter Cartel Drones

Defense agencies in Mexico and the United States have launched a new cooperative strategy to combat drones used by criminal organizations. Known as “High Eagle,” or “Águila Alta,” the operation builds on recent tests of anti-drone technology along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The first phase took place from August 31 to September 2 along the border between San Diego and Tijuana. During the initial stage, the two militaries simultaneously tracked commercial drones operated by criminal organizations from their respective territories. In the second phase, scheduled to run from September 7 through September 21, authorities will use fixed and mobile counter-drone systems to detect and neutralize unmanned aircraft.

Information released by Mexico’s National Defense Secretariat, known as SEDENA, does not identify the specific technologies being used. However, U.S. Northern Command has indicated that high-energy lasers could play a role in the operation. These systems can detect, track, illuminate, damage, and destroy drones at a distance.

The U.S. Army is investing in a vehicle-mounted laser system known as the Locust Platform. AeroVironment, the company developing the technology, delivered the first two functional prototypes to the military last September.

The Locust system has not been confirmed as part of Operation High Eagle. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities are gaining greater access to U.S. counter-drone technology. Last month, SEDENA and the U.S. Department of Defense signed an agreement allowing Mexico’s military to use the U.S. military’s digital marketplace to purchase anti-drone systems at competitive prices.

Officials from both countries said the operation and related agreements are intended to strengthen efforts against organized crime, including human trafficking and drug trafficking. Earlier this month, U.S. Northern Command announced that it had disabled or destroyed approximately 300 drones linked to criminal activity this year. About one-third of those drones were removed in August, and 11 were recently linked to cartels.

The U.S.-Mexico Bilateral Implementation Group is leading Operation High Eagle. According to SEDENA, the mission aims to improve security on both sides of the border while respecting the national sovereignty of both countries and “always prioritizing the interests of the Mexican state.”

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said the agreement would strengthen both countries’ ability to combat cartels and address shared security challenges.

This story was originally published in the Spanish edition of WIRED and was translated from Spanish.