The task force did not disclose exactly where the drones were engaged or who was suspected of flying them, but suggested they could have been used for reconnaissance by a drug cartel.
Gen. Guillot said that through JIATF 401, the US military is inviting industry partners to the border to show off their tech aimed at taking down adversary drones.
Dwindling stockpiles and lessons learned from Ukraine and Iran are driving urgent needs for revamping manufacturing.
"We've got a wide variety of counter-UAS tools, and I actually think that we need all of them, because depending on where you are or what threat you're focused on, your requirements will be slightly different,” Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, commander of JIATF 401, said.
“We are actively working to disrupt these networks, intercept their communications and dismantle their digital infrastructure," said Ashley Manning, the Defense Secretary’s chief cyber advisor.
Hegseth made his comments as the keynote speaker kicking off SOF Week in Tampa.
Pentagon leaders have not yet had to pull troops away from other missions outside of the US for this one or trade future mission readiness, the military official added, but acknowledged that could become a factor going forward.
Models that replicate real-world physics streamline design, testing and iteration processes.