A Miami demonstration showed how 5G signals can detect and track drones in real time, using existing cellular infrastructure without costly changes to network infrastructure.
Lockheed Martin’s NetSense has demonstrated how existing 5G cellular infrastructure can be used to detect and track drones in real time, potentially giving security teams a new way to monitor low-altitude airspace without building dedicated sensor networks.
During a Miami demonstration, NetSense detected a drone and alerted operators within seconds. The system then maintained its track as the aircraft moved, showing how cellular signals could provide continuous awareness of drone activity.
The approach combines several technologies. Verizon provided the 5G network spectrum used during the demonstration, while ODC supplied AI-native radio-access-network software for the test. NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform analysed radio-frequency signals in real time, and Keysight Technologies contributed RF simulation technology. Lockheed Martin’s systems then processed the resulting data to identify and track the drone.
The technology effectively turns existing cellular signals into a sensing capability. Rather than relying solely on dedicated radar or specialised detection equipment, the system uses radio-frequency disturbances created by objects moving through the network environment.
That could be particularly useful as drone activity expands around sensitive sites. Traditional counter-drone systems can require dedicated sensors and specialised hardware, whereas a cellular-based approach could use infrastructure already deployed across cities and other areas.
The system does not require changes to existing cellular radio deployments, potentially making large-scale implementation easier for network operators. Lockheed Martin plans pilot deployments for the second half of 2026 and early 2027, with broader commercial availability expected in 2027.
The company also plans to offer NetSense through a subscription model, connecting it with customers’ existing security operations rather than requiring an entirely separate command structure. The technology could ultimately provide cities and critical infrastructure operators with another tool for monitoring low-altitude airspace.
