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A breakthrough in non-lethal public safety technology has emerged as drones move beyond surveillance to active response. Wrap Technologies’ new drone, designed for non-lethal interventions, successfully used the firm’s BolaWrap device in live trials to safely entangle human targets from the air, showing it can reliably subdue armed individuals without using deadly force. According to the Florida-based firm, repeated tests confirmed reliability, marking a significant milestone in transforming drones into rapid, non-lethal responders capable of neutralizing threats and potentially saving lives within seconds. “This validation shows that MERLIN can interdict a simulated active-shooter threat through precise, remote, non-lethal engagement – which we believe represents a breakthrough in protecting lives, particularly in schools, where every second counts,” said Michael Brown, Vice President of Product at Wrap, in a statement. Non-lethal policing Policing today is complex and deeply human, yet that humanity is often lost amid scrutiny, civil unrest, and tragic outcomes—even when officers act correctly. Traditional “less-lethal” tools like tasers, batons, and pepper spray can still result in fatalities, creating a false sense of safety while leaving officers and taxpayers bearing the consequences. Wrap aims to redefine this reality by offering truly non-lethal solutions. By integrating advanced technology, immersive training, and defensible policies, it looks to provide officers with tools that prioritize safety, accountability, and measurable outcomes. To this extent, the MERLIN-Interdictor is a new drone-based system developed by Wrap that can safely stop armed or dangerous individuals without using lethal force. It uses the company’s BolaWrap technology, a handheld device that fires a Kevlar tether to entangle a person’s arms or legs from a distance. According to the firm, the MERLIN-Interdictor program expands its non-lethal tether technology into new areas, including counter-UAS (unmanned aerial system) defense and drone-based public safety. With integration centered at its Virginia facility, Wrap is preparing to move Project MERLIN from prototype to production for global deployment. Now, for the first time, this non-lethal restraint system has been successfully deployed from a drone, marking a major step in aerial law enforcement and emergency response. Drone response redefined In the controlled field trial, the MERLIN-Interdictor drone demonstrated its ability to identify, target, and safely engage a simulated armed subject using the BolaWrap device. According to the firm, the trial showed that drones can move beyond surveillance and become active responders capable of taking non-lethal action within seconds—something that could be critical in active shooter or crisis situations, especially in schools or crowded areas. The system is part of a broader initiative called DFR-X (Drones as First Responders – Extended), which aims to transform drones into fast, automated support tools for police and emergency services. Wrap’s collaboration with Mithril Defense, the developer of the Campus Guardian Angel platform, shows the potential of this technology in enhancing school safety and supporting first responders during high-risk incidents. “We believe DFR-X is more than innovation – it’s a new capability for agencies, officers, and stakeholders to deliver faster, safer, and smarter intervention when lives are on the line,” said Braden Frame, Chief Commercial Officer of Wrap, in a statement.
