Summary: Drone detection methods like Radio Frequency (RF), radar, EO/IR, and acoustic are critical to identify drones and assess potential threats. The most effective solutions not only detect the drone but also identify the pilot, ensuring faster and safer responses to both accidental incursions and deliberate threats.
As drones become more accessible to the average person, the number of airspace incursions is rising. Many of these incidents are accidental, caused by inexperienced hobbyists who may not understand flight restrictions or the risks of flying near sensitive areas. The article Drone Sightings Near Airports highlights that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) receives over 100 reports of unauthorized drone operations near airports every month, and emphasizes that drone operators may not understand the dangers or regulations, especially around aircraft and airports.
This is just one example of the increase in unauthorized drone incursions. Drone incursions are not limited to airports—there were over 13,000 drone incursions reported at U.S. power-generation facilities in 2024 alone. The NFL notes that incidents during NFL games skyrocketed from 67 in 2018 to 2,845 in 2023—a dramatic increase of over 4,100%. Clearly no public space or critical infrastructure is immune to drone incursions, whether purposeful or not.
Organizations are turning to a variety of drone detection methods: Radio Frequency (RF) to track drones and locate operators, radar detects drone incursions even if they aren’t broadcasting the legally required Remote ID signal, EO/IR cameras to confirm visuals, and acoustic sensors to capture sound signatures. Each of these drone detection methods has pros and cons. To understand which of these you need, read more below.
As drones proliferate across industries, understanding drone detection methods is essential to maintain airspace awareness and operational control. Whether safeguarding critical infrastructure, corporate campuses, correctional facilities, or public events, choosing the right technology is key.
Drone detection uses electronic sensors to identify and locate drones—and often their pilots.. It’s the first step toward threat response.
Learn more about detection fundamentals on our What Is Drone Detection? page.
Monitors communications between drone and pilot via Wi‑Fi, Frequency Hopping Spectrum (FHSS), Wideband Frequence Modulation (WBFM), or Long Term Evolution (Cellular LTE).
Only method that reliably locates both drone and pilot and supports Remote ID compliance.
What Information Can You Gather Using this Method of Drone Detection?
• GPS of drone/pilot, speed, heading, Remote ID broadcast data
Emits RF pulses; analyzes micro-Doppler to detect drones in motion, even silent ones.
Sends out radio signals and measures tiny changes in the signal reflection to spot drones moving through the air—even if they’re quiet.
Operates regardless of lighting or weather conditions, but requires line-of-sight.
What Information Can You Gather Using this Method of Drone Detection?
• Size, altitude, bearing, micro-Doppler data.
Offers visual or thermal confirmation via high-resolution cameras.
Best used in tandem with other methods as it can be limited by weather and line-of-sight.
What Information Can You Gather Using this Method of Drone Detection?
• EO/IR: Visual shape, payload, pilot image (where visible).
Detect drone motor noise to estimate bearing and distance—effective within 1 km, but sensitive to wind and environmental noise.
What Information Can You Gather Using this Method of Drone Detection?
• Direction, distance, and signature-based identification
For most applications, an RF with Remote ID receiver is often sufficient on its own
A layered approach may be recommended for extremelyHigh-risk environments, where it’s possible that very skilled nefarious actors are using technologies designed to defeat RF detection. This would include non-commercial, custom built drones without the legally mandated Remote ID broadcast signal or advanced drones which are designed to be silent.: Add radar to detect silent drones.
Drone Detection Methods Conclusion
While radar, EO/IR and acoustic tools provide important layers of detection, only Remote ID systems, like AirWarden™ deliver the critical advantage of identifying and locating the pilot.
This capability transforms detection into prevention, allowing security teams to address threats at the source.