A collaboration of several key technology companies recently showcased how commercial off-the-shelf technologies can be combined with AI to make detecting and tracking unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) more accessible.
The collaboration between Lockheed Martin, Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight Technologies, ODC and Astris AI, demonstrated using the NetSense Airspace Awareness-as-a-service system as an AI-enabled system capable of identifying, tracking and monitoring UAS using existing 5G networks. The system is not only more accessible, officials said, but faster to deploy, and easier to scale for public and critical infrastructure protection. Officials with the companies said the technology has commercial applications across infrastructure, large-scale events, utilities and everyday locations like schools, hospitals and airports.
“As drones become more affordable, capable and widely available, the need for persistent, intelligent airspace awareness to protect the public grows. By leveraging existing technology, the NetSense solution can help protect people and critical infrastructure across a wide range of environments,” the group said in a press release.
The solution combines Lockheed Martin’s warning and tracking systems working together using AI to read RF disturbances, predict and track a UAS’s flight path and send real-time alerts. Officials said the demonstration took place in a critical, high-traffic, urban area near Miami, leveraging an existing Verizon 5G network spectrum, ODC’s AI-native Radio Access Network software, NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform and Keysight’s advanced radio frequency simulation platform. NetSense was able to detect UAS and alert the team to their presence and maintain track custody throughout the UAS flight.