NetSense™ system combines 5G, commercial technology and AI to detect Unmanned Aerial Systems
As threats from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) increase, the demand for airspace awareness systems is crucial. To address this gap in public protection, we collaborated with Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight, ODC, and Astris AI (our wholly owned subsidiary) to develop the NetSense™ Airspace Awareness-as-a-Service™ system.
The NetSense solution combines two core components: Lockheed Martin’s warning system and tracking system. Together, these capabilities use AI to interpret changes in a UAS’s flight path, predict and track its next moves, and automatically alert customers to a potential threat.
The NetSense system runs on Verizon’s existing 5G network spectrum and is capable of being deployed across any 5G or future 6G Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) network and ODC’s AI-RAN software, using the radio frequency (RF) measurements the network already collects. NVIDIA AI Aerial platform powers the detection algorithms from data feeds from ODC’s AI-RAN software, while Keysight’s RF modeling helps to ensure optimal deployment. This American collaboration makes the solution more affordable, does not require new 6G ISAC hardware, and is easily scalable for low-altitude airspace awareness.
The July demonstration in the Miami area validated the technology for broad commercial applications across critical infrastructure, large-scale events at stadiums, utilities like power plants, and the everyday places people depend on, like schools, hospitals and airports. City, state and federal government customers can also gain proactive monitoring and alerts from the NetSense solution.
“As drones become more affordable and accessible, airspace awareness technology needs to evolve rapidly to outpace potential threats. That’s why we developed the NetSense solution,” said Lockheed Martin Senior Vice President of Technology and Strategic Innovation Sarah Hiza. “By working within the established 5G spectrum, we’re able to collaborate with the commercial technology industry and deploy a solution that’s ready at the time of need.”
The NetSense solution will revolutionize air protection by acting as a real-time, low altitude watchtower, delivering the kind of protection we’ve come to expect from ground level security, but for the sky.