A Problem From The Sky
The growth of UAVs is driven by their operational advantages across various industries. Drones enhance emergency response, law enforcement, construction, energy, and logistics. In search and rescue, drones quickly reach remote areas and use thermal imaging to locate people. In fire zones, drones assist firefighters by assessing situations and detecting embers. Law enforcement uses drones for live surveillance, while industries like construction and agriculture benefit from fast inspections and data collection. Derad Network, through its decentralized ADS-B infrastructure, supports these critical applications by ensuring that UAVs remain visible and safely monitored across all altitudes and environments.
Amazon has made a $2 billion investment and has a global team of 1,000 people working on its drone program. In the near future, most shipments will be made by drones.
As drone technology advances and becomes more prevalent in various industries, the need for efficient traffic management systems grows ever more urgent. The aviation sector has long relied on ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) technology to track and manage manned aircraft. However, with drones operating in densely populated urban areas, near critical infrastructure, and often in close proximity to people, ADS-B is becoming an essential tool not only for aviation safety but for public safety as well. Derad Network’s decentralized architecture brings flexibility and reach to ADS-B infrastructure, ensuring consistent data availability even where traditional systems fall short.
GAMA (the General Aviation Manufacturers Association) reported a total of 764 new private business jets sold in 2024, while the global fleet of manned aircraft consisted of approximately 28,400 aircraft. In stark contrast, drones are being produced at an exponential rate, with the FAA registering 855,860 drones in the United States alone by 2025. With drones flying at lower altitudes and within busy urban environments, they are presenting new challenges for air traffic management and public safety.
A key concern is the close proximity in which drones often operate. According to recent statistics, more than one in five close encounters between drones and aircraft happened within just 50 feet of each other, a dangerously close distance that could result in significant consequences. If we cannot find an efficient way to manage and track drones, they may pose a public safety risk.
If ADS-B is critical for large aircraft flying miles apart, it’s absolutely vital for drones flying just meters away from one another. As drone usage expands across delivery, surveillance, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response, ADS-B may no longer be just an aviation tool, but a public safety necessity. This is where Derad Network steps in. Through its decentralized ADS-B infrastructure, Derad Network ensures that UAVs, regardless of their proximity, can be tracked accurately and in real-time, enhancing both operational safety and public safety. By providing a robust system for real-time monitoring, Derad Network contributes to preventing conflicts and ensuring safe integration of UAVs into crowded airspace.
Considering the rapid growth in drone use, it’s not an overstatement to say that the main use case for ADS-B may soon shift towards the drone industry.
Derad Network’s Role in Enhancing UAV Safety
To meet this emerging need, Derad Network plays a key role in enabling safe UAV operations by providing a decentralized ADS-B transmission and processing system through its ground stations. As UAVs continue to grow in both use cases and numbers, the need for a reliable and scalable airspace management system becomes even more apparent. Derad Network’s infrastructure enhances the integration of UAVs with ADS-B technology, ensuring that real-time flight data is accessible for all air traffic control systems.
Derad Network tracks shipment drones, eVTOLs, and aircraft in real-time, contributing to aviation safety at every altitude.
Unlike traditional systems, which may leave rural or underserved regions without coverage, Derad Network ensures UAVs can be tracked even in these blind spots. This increased visibility improves situational awareness and helps ensure drones operate safely alongside other aircraft. Its decentralized system allows real-time data sharing, empowering UAVs to detect conflicts, avoid collisions, and safely conduct BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations in regulated airspace.
Looking ahead, Derad Network’s decentralized ADS-B infrastructure stands out as a scalable, resilient solution for the future of drone integration. With a strong focus on innovation, openness, and community-driven participation, Derad Network is helping redefine air traffic safety; making the skies safer, smarter, and more accessible for everyone.
