- Nearthlab conducted a live demonstration of its KAiDEN interceptor drone for L3Harris Technologies, achieving a direct hit.
- The KAiDEN system can track and strike targets at over 250 km/h with a 5 km range and supports swarm operations.
South Korean defense startup Nearthlab has successfully demonstrated its KAiDEN autonomous interceptor drone during a live fire test hosted for representatives from L3Harris Technologies.
In a post shared by Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President Andrew D. Kim, the company described the intercept as “flawless,” adding that the “one shot, one kill” demonstration proved the system is “mission-ready.”
“It was a pleasure hosting Kons Muhtaris and Alex Johnson, P.E., at our site, Nearthlab,” Kim said. “Thank you for making the trip. It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with L3Harris Technologies and showcase our capabilities with a live demonstration.”
Nearthlab said the KAiDEN drone interceptor is engineered for both aerial and ground-based threat engagement and is designed for integration into broader multi-domain defense networks. The company highlighted KAiDEN’s speed, agility, and real-time target engagement as key features for defense customers seeking small-form intercept solutions.
According to Nearthlab, the KAiDEN system reaches speeds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour and is capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting targets autonomously. Weighing just 2.8 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 1 kilogram, the platform is designed for short-range defense applications with an operational range of up to 5 kilometers.
The drone measures 455 millimeters in length and width and stands 400 millimeters tall, allowing for rapid launch and flexible transport in field conditions. Nearthlab said the small size, combined with swarm operation capability and onboard automation, makes KAiDEN suitable for fast-paced and dynamic operational environments.
In a statement, the company said: “KAiDEN has been designed for stable integration with existing defense systems, enhancing operational responsiveness in contested environments.”
The interceptor drone is intended as a cost-effective hard-kill solution and is expected to complement systems such as L3Harris’ VAMPIRE, a versatile all-in-one weapon and sensor suite designed for mobile defense operations. In its announcement, Nearthlab thanked L3Harris for recognizing “the value of a cost-effective hard kill interceptor like KAiDEN.”
Nearthlab describes KAiDEN as a “military-proven solution” and emphasizes its suitability for both land and air defense missions. The system’s automation and compact design may appeal to defense customers looking to scale AI-based intercept platforms across multiple nodes in a networked battlespace.
The company says the system is being developed with interoperability and forward-deployment in mind. KAiDEN’s architecture allows it to be launched quickly, engage threats autonomously, and operate as part of a coordinated swarm or within a larger defense ecosystem.