Overview
- Lockheed Martin confirmed a July 2026 demonstration in the Miami area that it says detected and tracked drones by analyzing measurements on an unmodified Verizon 5G network.
- The proof‑of‑concept stitched together Lockheed algorithms with ODC’s AI‑native RAN software, NVIDIA’s AI Aerial processing, Keysight RF tools and Verizon spectrum to convert cellular RF disturbances into drone tracks.
- Lockheed plans to sell NetSense as a subscription service, with pilot deployments slated for late 2026 and early 2027 and general commercial availability targeted for 2027.
- The company has not published key operational figures such as detection range, number of cell sites used, tracked altitudes, drone types, or false alarm rates, leaving real‑world effectiveness unclear for airports and other high‑risk sites.
- The product is pitched as a lower‑cost, scalable sensing layer that can plug into existing security operations now and complement future 6G Integrated Sensing and Communications standards, with potential to change how cities, utilities and event venues monitor low‑altitude airspace.