• The Miami-area test combined Verizon spectrum with ODC RAN software, Nvidia AI Aerial, Keysight RF simulation and Lockheed Martin tracking technology
  • Pilot deployments are planned for the second half of 2026 and early 2027, ahead of targeted general availability in 2027

The fact

Lockheed Martin has demonstrated its NetSense Airspace Awareness-as-a-Service system in a high-traffic urban area around Miami, using Verizon's 5G network spectrum to detect and track unmanned aircraft systems. The test combined ODC's AI-native radio access network software, Nvidia AI Aerial and Keysight's radio-frequency simulation platform with Lockheed Martin's warning and tracking technology. According to Telecoms.com, NetSense detected drones and maintained tracking throughout the flights.

The system uses AI to analyse disturbances in radio-frequency signals, predict aircraft flight paths and generate alerts. The companies said NetSense can perform sensing without changes to existing cellular radio deployments. The demonstration did not provide detection-range, accuracy, or false-alarm data. Lockheed Martin plans to offer NetSense as a subscription that interfaces with existing security operations. Pilot deployments are planned for the second half of 2026 and early 2027, with general availability targeted for 2027.

The assessment

NetSense puts the mobile operator inside the drone-sensing delivery chain rather than using the cellular network only for connectivity. Verizon supplies the 5G radio environment, while software from the other partners analyses RF disturbances and feeds detection information into Lockheed Martin's security system. A commercial deployment would therefore depend on integrating the carrier network with the sensing and security platforms.

The companies say this can be done without changing existing cellular radios. If that holds during the planned pilots, customers could use network-based airspace sensing with less need for separate sensing infrastructure at each protected site. The Miami demonstration does not yet establish how consistently the approach performs across different network layouts and operating conditions because detection range, accuracy, false-alarm rates and tracking-continuity results were not disclosed.

For BTW readers, the practical change is that an existing mobile network could provide an input to an airspace-monitoring service. The next stage is to show that the carrier network, sensing software and security platform can be integrated repeatedly across pilot deployments.

What to watch

The planned pilots in the second half of 2026 and early 2027 are the next test. Named deployment sites, additional carrier participation and confirmation that existing radios remain unchanged would clarify the operating model. Detection range, false-alarm rates and tracking-continuity results would provide stronger evidence for Lockheed Martin's targeted 2027 general availability.