DroneSentry-C2 integrates ADS-B to boost airspace safety features
DroneShield has incorporated aviation surveillance data into its DroneSentry-C2 counter-drone detection software, aiming to improve airspace safety by reducing misidentification between drones and conventional aircraft.
This integration brings Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities into DroneSentry-C2, a command-and-control platform used by emergency services, critical infrastructure operators, air traffic control, defence, and government agencies. ADS-B is a technology deployed globally for air traffic monitoring that broadcasts key information, including the identity, position, altitude, and velocity of crewed aircraft.
The addition of ADS-B data enables DroneSentry-C2 operators to better distinguish between legitimate aircraft and potential drone threats within a mixed-domain environment. The fusion of both crewed and uncrewed aviation data aims to enhance situational awareness and allows more effective, safer decision-making during time-critical incidents.
Recent years have seen increased emphasis on the need for advanced airspace monitoring capabilities following high-profile incidents involving unidentified aerial objects near sensitive sites. Such events have shown the potential for confusion and the necessity of tools that can clearly differentiate between drones, traditional aircraft, and other aerial phenomena to ensure public safety and security.
For organisations responsible for disaster response, emergency medical transport, and securing major events, the integrated solution offers additional situational awareness in complex operational environments. It also assists defence and government users in expanding the operational relevance of counter-drone technologies by providing a more comprehensive view of airspace activity.
Technological overview
DroneSentry-C2 operates using DroneShield's proprietary artificial intelligence engine, SensorFusionAI (SFAI), which aggregates and cross-references data from multiple sources, including radio frequency, radar, optical, and now ADS-B. This cohesive operational picture reduces false alarms and improves the range of response options available to end-users, marking DroneSentry-C2 as a system that goes beyond just displaying detection information.
"Integrating ADS-B data reflects our vision for a future of comprehensive airspace awareness. By expanding DroneSentry-C2's capabilities to include both crewed and uncrewed aviation ADS-B data, we are adding to our customers situational awareness that they need to make faster, safer, and more confident decisions in complex environments," said Angus Bean, Chief Product Officer at DroneShield.
The integration comes as part of DroneShield's regular quarterly updates to its C2 software suite, coinciding with the release of DroneSentry-C2 Enterprise and multiple system enhancements. These updates are aimed at further building the platform's utility in diverse operational contexts where airspace deconfliction is critical.
DroneShield's approach combines the benefits of its existing detection sensors with aviation surveillance information to help address security risks facing airports, critical infrastructure, and public safety operations globally. The system's design allows it to more effectively reduce the likelihood of misidentifying conventional aircraft as drones, minimising operational disruptions and boosting the confidence of those tasked with securing airspace.
The integration of ADS-B data into platforms like DroneSentry-C2 responds to demands from the aviation and security sectors for unified tools that can handle the increasing volume and diversity of airspace traffic.
