Lockheed Martin demonstrates drone tracking via commercial 5G network

Lockheed Martin has reported a demonstration in which it used a commercial 5G network, without modifying the operator's existing radios, to detect and track drones in flight. The trial took place in the Miami area in July 2026 and involved Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight Technologies, ODC, and Astris AI, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary.

According to Lockheed Martin, its system, called NetSense, identified drones, issued alerts, and kept track of them throughout their flights by analyzing disturbances in signals already passing through the cellular network, rather than relying on additional radar or dedicated radio frequency sensors. ODC provided AI-native radio access network software, NVIDIA supplied its AI Aerial platform to process radio frequency data at the network edge, and Keysight contributed simulation and testing tools. Lockheed Martin's own algorithms were used to predict flight paths and generate alerts based on the processed data.

The company said the exercise demonstrated that drones could be sensed using existing cellular infrastructure, without the expense of upgrading telecom equipment, and ahead of anticipated integrated sensing and communication capabilities expected in future 6G standards. A Verizon technology executive said applying artificial intelligence to signal measurements already flowing through the network effectively converts it into a sensing platform.

Lockheed Martin intends to offer NetSense as a subscription service that would integrate with customers' existing security operations. According to the company, pilot deployments are planned for the second half of 2026 and early 2027, with broader commercial availability to follow.