Next trainingAdvanced Drone WarfareBlack Hat Europe · ExCeL London · 7–8 Dec 2026
David Meléndez Cano

Public projects The Interceptor

Drones · RF · Embedded systems

The Interceptor

2018 – 2021

A nanodrone with embedded Linux that evades counter-drone systems, with a hidden WiFi channel and a radio fallback. It costs around $70.

The Interceptor nanodrone seen from above and held in a hand

The Interceptor is a nanodrone built from scratch on the Vocore2, one of the smallest Linux boards on the market. It fits in your hand and costs about $70 with off-the-shelf parts.

Its control link runs over a hidden WiFi channel that can't be deauthenticated and resists replay attacks, while keeping the WiFi auditing capabilities of any hacking drone. If that link drops, an SDR fallback takes over.

The project was presented at DEF CON 26 (main track and Hardware Hacking Village) and at the Black Hat USA 2018 Arsenal, and it continues the line started with Atropos.

The Interceptor sostenido en la palma de la mano
David Meléndez trabajando en el banco de laboratorio

Where I've presented it

  • Seguridad en drones: proyecto InterceptorTalk · h-c0n 2020Video
  • Project InterceptorTalk · Codemotion Rome 2019 · RomaProgramSlides
  • Proyecto dron "The Interceptor"Talk · Navaja Negra 8 · AlbaceteProgramVideo
  • Evadiendo sistemas anti-dron: el proyecto InterceptorTalk · Hack & Beers Madrid Vol. 12 · MadridProgram
  • Project Interceptor: avoiding counter-drone systems with nanodronesTalk · DEF CON 26 Main Track · Las VegasProgramVideoSlidesWhite paper
  • Project Interceptor: Owning Anti-Drone Systems with NanodronesDemo · Black Hat USA 2018 Arsenal · Las VegasProgram (archived)
  • Building Drones the Hard WayTalk · DEF CON 26 Hardware Hacking Village · Las VegasVideo
  • IoT MasterChef: Cocinando un dron para hackingTalk · EuskalHack Security Congress III · San SebastiánProgram
  • Drones como amenaza a infraestructuras críticasTalk · Codemotion Madrid 2018 · MadridVideo
  • Hacking con dronesTalk · CYMASS 2017 · DubáiProgram (archived)
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