Lockheed Martin, Verizon demo drone-detection system using 5G and AI

In July, a coalition of technology and defense companies—Lockheed Martin, Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight Technologies, ODC, and Astris AI—successfully demonstrated the NetSense™ Airspace Awareness-as-a-Service™ system in the Miami area. The demonstration showcased how commercial off-the-shelf technologies can make detecting and tracking unmanned aircraft systems both accessible and scalable for protecting public and critical infrastructure.

NetSense works by leveraging existing Verizon 5G network spectrum and analyzing radio frequency signal disturbances in real time. NVIDIA's AI Aerial platform processes these RF signals, feeding the data into Lockheed Martin's algorithms, which predict and track a UAS's flight path and automatically send real-time alerts. ODC's AI-native Radio Access Network software and Keysight's advanced radio frequency simulation platform enable the system to function without requiring changes to existing cellular deployments. The open architecture design allows new interceptors and technologies to be added without the need for entirely new hardware.

According to Sarah Hiza, senior vice president of Technology and Strategic Innovation at Lockheed Martin, "By working within the established 5G network spectrum, we're able to collaborate with the commercial technology industry and deploy a solution that's ready at the time of need." Anil Guntupali, senior vice president of Technology and Product Development at Verizon, added that "by applying AI to the RF signal measurement data already traversing our 5G infrastructure, we can effectively turn our network into an intelligent sensing platform." Ronnie Vasishta, senior vice president of telecoms at NVIDIA, emphasized that the system "demonstrates how AI can transform existing telecommunications infrastructure into a real-time sensing platform."

The broad applications span critical infrastructure, large-scale events at stadiums, utilities like power plants, schools, hospitals, and airports. City, state, and federal government customers gain proactive monitoring and alerts. Notably, the NetSense approach avoids the need to wait for 6G Integrated Sensing and Communication standards; the system is complementary to 6G ISAC and can enhance those systems when they become available. NetSense currently leverages Verizon's 5G network spectrum, with a roadmap toward broader deployment across 5G and future 6G networks. The system will be delivered as a subscription service interfacing with customers' existing security operations. Pilot deployments are planned for the second half of 2026 and early 2027, with commercial general availability planned for 2027. Early deployments will be limited to select customers with urgent need; interested organizations can contact Astris AI, Lockheed Martin's wholly owned subsidiary, to request a briefing.