Wrap and Mithril Defense Make History with First Successful Drone-to-Human Interdiction, Showcasing Safe Non-Lethal Response Technology

The MERLIN-Interdictor from Wrap Technologies successfully deployed BolaWrap non-lethal technology from a drone in a live simulation, achieving the world's first drone-to-human interdiction.

Wrap Technologies, Inc. and Mithril Defense have released footage of the world's first successful live-field test of a non-lethal drone engaging a human subject, a historic milestone for aerial public safety response. The demonstration of the MERLIN-Interdictor system, conducted at Mithril Defense's headquarters in Austin, Texas, transforms drones from passive observers into active life-saving tools capable of intervening in critical situations like active shooter scenarios within seconds.

The controlled indoor field test showcased the system's consistent deployment, using Wrap's patented BolaWrap entanglement technology launched from an aerial drone to engage a simulated armed subject. This successful trial marks the birth of a new category of response technology: Drone-First-Responder Interdiction (DFR-X). "We're proud to share one of the world's first successful demonstration of non-lethal drone-to-subject engagement," said Michael Brown, Vice President of Product at Wrap. "This validation shows that MERLIN can interdict a simulated active-shooter threat through precise, remote, non-lethal engagement."

The partnership pairs Wrap's non-lethal hardware with Mithril Defense's operational platform. Mithril Defense, based in Austin, Texas, is the developer of the Campus Guardian Angel system, a rapid-response drone platform specifically designed to address school threats. “The success of the MERLIN-Interdictor trial deployment is a meaningful development in our broader mission to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies to support first responders and save lives,” stated Mithril Defense Co-Founders, Justin Marston and Bill King, reported Wrap Technologies.

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For schools and public spaces, where every second counts, this technology could represent a paradigm shift. Instead of waiting for ground units to arrive on scene, a pre-positioned drone could be dispatched immediately to visually assess and then non-lethally incapacitate a threat from a safe distance, buying precious time for law enforcement to neutralize the situation. "This testing validates our vision for what responsible, non-lethal aerial response and interdiction should look like," said Braden Frame, Chief Commercial Officer of Wrap.

The breakthrough also signals a significant expansion of Wrap's market strategy. The MERLIN-Interdictor program extends the company's proven technology into the defense and federal sectors. "This milestone marks a new frontier for Wrap," said Jared Novick, President and Chief Operating Officer of Wrap Technologies. "It validates our proposed system capability for DoD, DHS, FBI, and international partners—advancing our federal strategy to deliver innovative, non-lethal tools that enhance mission readiness."

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With pre-orders for the MERLIN-Interdictor DFR-X payload scheduled to open on November 17, 2025, Wrap Technologies is poised to transition this prototype into production. The company plans to offer comprehensive onboarding packages, including training and policy guidance, to ensure responsible deployment by public safety agencies and technology partners worldwide.