Lockheed Martin, Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight Technologies, ODC and Astris AI have demonstrated NetSense, an airspace-awareness system designed to detect, identify and track unmanned aircraft using commercial technology and existing 5G infrastructure in the Miami area. The live trial took place in July and kept track custody through the flight, with the companies positioning the system for faster deployment around public and critical infrastructure sites.
The demonstration used Verizon’s 5G network spectrum, NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform, Keysight’s RF simulation, and ODC’s AI-native RAN software, while Astris AI joined the showcase. Lockheed Martin is presenting NetSense as a way to reduce the need for new network buildouts and to make drone detection easier to scale across environments such as airports, schools, hospitals, stadiums and utilities.
The programme is also tied to a subscription model intended to connect with existing security operations. Pilot deployments are planned for the second half of 2026 and early 2027, with commercial availability targeted for 2027. The companies frame the approach as an interim step toward broader integrated sensing and communications capabilities as 6G development advances.