• US Northern Command uses the southern border as a testing ground for counter-drone tech.
• Joint Interagency Taskforce 401 invites industry partners to demonstrate their technology.
• The US military seeks portable counter-drone solutions to protect soldiers.
• Recent FAA assessment validates safety of high-energy laser counter-drone tech.

This initiative may signal the US military's growing concern about drone threats and its willingness to leverage industry partnerships to develop effective countermeasures. The use of the southern border as a testing ground suggests a focus on real-world application and rapid prototyping, which could accelerate the development of counter-drone technologies and indicate a shift in the military's approach to addressing unmanned aerial system threats.