Across the United States, drones are transforming industries and hobbies alike. But this boom has also opened the skies to a wave of reckless and criminal behavior. From hobbyists flying too close to airports to smugglers using drones to bypass security, the misuse of drones has become a growing threat to public safety and national infrastructure.
To counter this challenge, Spotter Global has developed a drone detection system called Remote Drone ID™ (RDID™) - a powerful new solution that uses the FAA’s Remote ID framework to detect drones in flight and help authorities locate their operators in real time.
TheDroneTracker.com, powered by Spotter Global, is a channel designed to highlight the capabilities of Spotter Global's Remote Drone ID (RDID) and provide consumers a streamlined process for leasing RDID without the need for enterprise-level sales.
The Growing Problem of Unlawful Drone Use
Drone regulations in the U.S. are set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which mandates rules like:
- Keeping drones below 400 feet
- Staying clear of airports and restricted airspace
- Registering drones (over 250g or used commercially) and operating them only within visual line of sight
What about RF, Radar, Acoustic Sensors, and other Current Counter-Drone Technology?
Firstly, counter-drone systems are expensive. Whether it's radar, rf sniffers, acoustic sensors, or AI-enhanced cameras, these security solutions all cost many thousands more than most at-risk properties can afford.
Critically, these technologies cannot detect the drone pilot's precise location as RDID can. Since it is illegal for U.S. civilians to use radio frequency jammers or hard-kill methods against drones, the ability to quickly locate the pilot is vital for mitigation efforts.
Finally, few of these detectors are mobile or very easily moved, which is a key feature for CUAS technologies used to protect short-term events (such as concerts, protests, parades, etc) and temporary secure locations like construction sites.
(Note that radar is the most reliable method for detecting autonomous "dark" drones including fiber-optic drones.)
Drone Threats on the Rise
Yet violations are common—and rising. In 2023, the FAA recorded thousands of unauthorized drone operations across the country, including drones flying:
- Near commercial airliners
- Over densely-packed crowds at parades and other public events
- Into restricted zones such as military installations and power substations
- Interfering with emergency response operations
While many of these incidents stem from operator ignorance, a growing number involve deliberate criminal activity. Drones have been used to:
- Deliver contraband into prisons
- Conduct illegal surveillance of homes, businesses, and infrastructure
- Aid in smuggling, theft, and espionage
Until recently, tracking down the source of these drones—especially in urban or congested environments—was extremely difficult.
TheDroneTracker.com's RDID Drone Detection System: Turning Remote ID Into Real-Time Defense
To combat drone misuse, the FAA now requires most drones to broadcast identifying information during flight through Remote ID—essentially a digital license plate for drones. TheDroneTracker.com's drone detection solution taps into this broadcast data to help security teams monitor, identify, and respond to drone threats as they happen.
A Sensor That Helps You Catch the Pilot
What the RDID drone detection system does:
- Receives Remote ID intercepts broadcasts from drones in real time, including the drone’s location, altitude, velocity, and registration number
- Identifies the drone pilot’s location (when transmitted as part of FAA compliance), giving law enforcement the ability to locate the individual behind the flight
- Maps and displays the flight paths of many drones simultaneously, allowing teams to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized flights as well as higher and lower priority threats in crowded or sensitive areas
- No false alarms or false positives as the RDID only detects the Remote ID signatures of registered drones
- Integrates with broader security systems, enabling automated alerts and incident logging for compliance or legal follow-up
Real-World Applications
TheDroneTracker.com and Spotter Global’s drone detection technology is already helping U.S. agencies and facilities protect against unwanted drone activity. RDID drone detection is especially valuable in environments where knowing who is flying the drone is just as critical as knowing where the drone is.
Common U.S. applications include:
- Prisons, where drone drops of drugs or weapons pose daily risks
- Utility infrastructure and substations, where drones may be used for reconnaissance or tampering
- Other critical infrastructure sites such as dams, airports, chemical plants, oil and gas facilities, etc
- Public events and stadiums, where drones can cause panic or disrupt operations
- Corporate campuses and R&D sites, where data theft via aerial surveillance is a concern
By using FAA-mandated broadcasts as a data source, drone detection (RDID drone detection system) brings lawful accountability into the airspace, allowing drone pilots to be identified, tracked, and contacted if necessary.
Conclusion: Smart Airspace Security for Today's and Tomorrow's Threats
The sky above America is becoming increasingly crowded, and not everyone flying up there is following the rules. While hobbyists may unintentionally break laws due to a lack of awareness, others are using drones with deliberate criminal intent.
Thanks to the FAA’s Remote ID requirements and smart solutions like RDID, it’s now possible to track and mitigate active drone threats. The RDID drone detection system not only shows where a drone is, but who’s behind the controls. That’s a game changer for U.S. security teams working to protect people, property, and public trust in this rapidly evolving airspace.
References
1. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft." https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id
2. Spotter Global. "Remote Drone Identification (drone detection (RDID drone detection system))." https://www.spotterglobal.com/
3. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) UAS Sightings Reports. https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/public_records/uas_sightings_report
4. Department of Justice. "Drone Incidents at Correctional Facilities." https://www.justice.gov/