The deployment was confirmed by NORAD and U.S. Northern Command after an AeroVironment LOCUST laser system on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle was photographed at the property on October 31. Designed to counter Group 1 through Group 3 unmanned aircraft, the high-energy weapon utilizes artificial intelligence-enabled tracking and specialized fire-control software to disable hostile targets. The directed-energy system integrates directly with higher-level command networks alongside pre-existing defensive infrastructure. It operates alongside Avenger air-defense systems equipped with Stinger missiles, specialized jammers, radar systems, and fly-away counter-drone kits.
Key points
The Secret Service requested military directed-energy assets to establish multi-layered p…: The Secret Service requested military directed-energy assets to establish multi-layered protection against hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.
Artificial intelligence-driven tracking allows the directed-energy system to concentrate…: Artificial intelligence-driven tracking allows the directed-energy system to concentrate high-power energy directly onto approaching drone threats.
Enhanced protective measures were instituted in response to heightened security scrutiny…: Enhanced protective measures were instituted in response to heightened security scrutiny following multiple assassination attempts against Donald Trump.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The US has deployed a laser-based anti-drone weapon at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, strengthening security against potential aerial threats.
According to a report by The War Zone (TWZ), at least one AeroVironment LOCUST laser system, mounted on a 4×4 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), was spotted at the estate in photographs taken by photographer Andrew Harnik on October 31.
The deployment adds another layer to the existing air-defence network around Mar-a-Lago, which includes Avenger short-range air-defence systems armed with Stinger missiles, radar and electronic warfare equipment.
The broader security network also includes elements of the military's Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Fly-Away Kits, equipped with Ku-band radar, electronic support measures (ESM), jammers and 360-degree infrared search-and-track systems. These systems help detect, track and counter potential drone incursions around the estate, according to TWZ.
Confirming the deployment, NORAD and US northern command told TWZ that the systems were deployed at the request of the US Secret Service. "These assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection," the commands said.
Hardware manufacturer Videostrong has been barred from the Android TV ecosystem following the discovery of illicit tools embedded directly into its devices. The vendor purposely shipped streaming hardware equipped with backdoors meant to manipulate botnet networks, prompting an immediate ban from platform operators. This decisive enforcement stops future product distribution and aims to curb hardware-level security risks for consumers.
Major semiconductor clients are expanding their regional supply chains by relying on South Korean fabrication facilities based in the United States. This strategic manufacturing partnership highlights how advanced chip designers are securing domestic component production amid global demand. The development marks a significant allocation of capacity at the company's emerging American industrial footprint.
South Korea's leading memory maker is expanding its American manufacturing footprint to supply base dies for high-bandwidth memory chips to major artificial intelligence hardware developers. The project has already fully booked its anticipated production volume, driven primarily by strong demand from AMD. This strategic expansion signals robust long-term international investment in advanced domestic semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure.