Wrap Technologies Launches First Drone System That Can Physically Restrain Suspects

Wrap Technologies has unveiled what it claims is the first commercially available non-lethal drone interdiction system in the United States. The DFR-X payload system, branded as the MERLIN-Interdictor, mounts the company’s BolaWrap tether technology onto drones—transforming passive observation platforms into active restraint tools that can physically intervene before officers arrive on scene.

The announcement on October 17, 2025, marks a significant shift in how drone first responder programs operate. While every DFR system to date has focused on surveillance and situational awareness, Wrap’s payload enables drones to deploy Kevlar tethers to entangle suspects from the air.

How the MERLIN-Interdictor Works

The DFR-X system features a six-cassette payload that integrates with third-party drone platforms through a standard UART interface. Each cassette deploys an 8-foot Kevlar tether—the same technology used in Wrap’s hand-held BolaWrap 150 device, which shoots the cord at over 500 feet per second (152 m/s) to wrap around a person’s arms or legs.

Michael Brown, Vice President of Product at Wrap, said the company completed Phase II testing of the remote deployment system. “Our team has worked tirelessly to engineer a modular, drone-agnostic solution that leverages Wrap’s proven non-lethal BolaWrap tether technology,” Brown said. “With the MERLIN-Interdictor, we believe we are now positioned to introduce a functional interceptor and create a DFR-X market, allowing officers not just to watch, but to interdict and wrap.”

The system uses operator-controlled remote deployment, meaning a human pilot makes the decision to release the tether—not autonomous AI systems. Wrap plans to manufacture the payload at its Virginia facility and will offer training packages and policy support materials to agencies that purchase the system.

From Observation to Intervention

Traditional drone first responder programs have revolutionized emergency response by providing aerial overwatch within 60 to 90 seconds of a 911 call. Programs operated by agencies like Georgia Tech, NYPD, and Newport Beach Police have proven that drones can arrive faster than patrol units and provide critical intelligence to responding officers.

The DFR-X system takes this concept further by adding what Wrap calls “controlled, non-lethal physical intervention capability.” According to the company, this allows drones to “not only observe and communicate, but also deter, delay, and disrupt threatening behavior before officers arrive.”

Braden Frame, Chief Commercial Officer at Wrap, positioned the system as a life-saving tool. “The MERLIN-Interdictor is intended to evolve public safety from simply observing real-time threats to providing immediate opportunities to interdict and potentially save lives,” Frame said. “We also believe that the MERLIN-Interdictor could be a powerful tool to save lives in remote-controlled UAS school safety programs, and we believe that MERLIN operations could be critical life-saving tools in dynamic urban SWAT operations.”

Pre-orders for the DFR-X are scheduled to begin November 17, 2025. Wrap has not disclosed pricing but says it will offer comprehensive onboarding packages.

BolaWrap Technology Track Record

Wrap Technologies built its reputation on the BolaWrap 150, a hand-held device that deploys a Kevlar tether to restrain individuals from 10 to 25 feet (3 to 7.6 meters) away. The device has been adopted by over 1,000 law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and in 60 countries.

The BolaWrap was designed as a pre-escalation tool for situations involving people in mental health crises, under the influence of substances, or otherwise non-compliant. Unlike Tasers, pepper spray, or batons, the BolaWrap doesn’t rely on pain compliance—though the tether’s small metal hooks can cause minor lacerations similar to Taser prongs if deployed on bare skin.

Field data from 224 documented uses shows an 86% success rate, though critics note these represent only about 10% of actual deployments due to limited data sharing. The Los Angeles Police Department found the device “effective” in six of nine deployments during a pilot program, even when the tether didn’t achieve a full wrap.

Market Context and Competition

The drone first responder market has exploded in 2025, with 214 FAA waivers approved by mid-year. Major vendors like Skydio, BRINC, and Flock Safety (which acquired Aerodome) dominate the space with complete drone systems featuring automated docking stations, CAD integration, and 24/7 operational capability.

Wrap’s approach differs by offering a payload that integrates with existing drone platforms rather than requiring agencies to purchase an entirely new system. This modular design could appeal to departments that have already invested in drone hardware but want expanded capabilities.

However, the competitive landscape remains challenging. American manufacturers like Skydio and BRINC have been aggressively marketing their purpose-built public safety drones as alternatives to Chinese-made systems like DJI, particularly as Congress considers legislation that could ban DJI drones from government use.

Policy and Safety Considerations

Jared Novick, President of Wrap, emphasized that the system requires strict operational protocols. “Public safety demands tools that reduce harm while enabling lawful, effective response,” Novick said. “DFR-X is built around that principle—it’s meant to be used under clear operational policies, with trained personnel and strict safety protocols.”

The company has not yet released detailed use-of-force guidelines for the system, though it says training and policy materials will be provided with purchases. Questions remain about liability, deployment criteria, and oversight mechanisms for a technology that enables remote physical intervention without an officer present.

This marks Wrap’s first entry into the unmanned aerial systems market. The company also announced today the formation of Wrap Federal, LLC, a subsidiary focused on pursuing Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security contracts for the DFR-X system and counter-UAS programs.

DroneXL’s Take

This is either the logical evolution of drone first responder technology or a preview of what civil liberties advocates have been warning about—it all depends on implementation.

The DFR concept has been remarkably successful because it gives officers a God’s-eye view before they arrive, improving both officer safety and decision-making. Chula Vista Police Department data shows their DFR program has cleared calls without dispatching officers in many cases, saving resources and reducing unnecessary confrontations.

But putting a physical restraint capability on an unmanned platform crosses a line that deserves serious scrutiny. When is it appropriate for a remotely-piloted aircraft to physically restrain a human being? Who makes that call, and under what circumstances? What happens when the tether wraps around someone’s neck instead of their legs? These aren’t hypothetical concerns—they’re fundamental questions about the use of force that need answers before this technology scales.

Wrap Technologies has a decent track record with the hand-held BolaWrap, and their emphasis on training and policy development is encouraging. But the hand-held version gives officers immediate feedback and allows for split-second adjustments. A drone payload removes that human proximity and judgment from the equation.

The modular approach is smart business—agencies won’t need to rip out existing DFR infrastructure to add interdiction capability. But that same ease of adoption means this technology could spread quickly before we’ve worked out the legal and ethical frameworks to govern its use.

We need to see the actual deployment policies, liability agreements, and oversight mechanisms before calling this innovation progress. The technology is impressive. Whether it should exist is a different question entirely.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.