That's a bit rude, it somewhat implies we hide them or something. Also it's a blanket statement while you're probably missing a specific UAV which might enable someone to give a better answer. We can only display things in our coverage that has an ADS-B transponder. Then there is also MLAT data but that requires a ModeS transponder and 4 receivers receiving it. 1090 MHz (ModeS / ADS-B both use that band) is line of sight only. As such low flying craft aren't easy to receive.
Many thanks for the answer. I was just surprised that very often UAVs (drones) are not turned off. That's not rude, just a hint. Best regards from the Baltic Sea.
So ... the drone you might be thinking of are the high altitude flights by US drones which are sometimes visible? If they have their transponder on they are typically on ModeS only, thus MLAT is required: https://map.adsbexchange.com/mlat-map/ While not all receivers are on the map it gives you an idea that our coverage isn't ideal If you have an old computer with USB2 and linux or a Raspberry Pi you can get an SDR and contribute data: https://github.com/wiedehopf/adsb-wiki/wiki/Raspbian-Lite:-ADS-B-receiver Anyhow all things military only have their transponder on if they want. With these drone flights it's on purpose that they are on for sure, agreement with the countries being overflown or a public statement.
@Mario you also gotta realize, UAV's only show up in non-combat conditions and/or when flying around and not under OPSEC protocols. there are quite a few RQ-4B's that show up when transitioning from Europe to their alternate airfields to refuel and then head back home to the US at Grand Forks AFB. i have a personal friend who was a RQ-4B Operator who has operated several of the tail codes i have spotted right here on ADSB Exchange, and he didnt even know they showed up the first go around. ive noticed though, that most of the RQ-4B's go dynamic or just plain silent once they get within say a hour or 2 of Grand Forks AFB or have departed the same timeline. ive spotted a few RQ-9 and even a MQ-9 Reaper down near panama and out over the Gulf Of Mexico and Atlantic Coastlines. @wiedehopf i have several US Military pilots that have said otherwise to that statement 'Anyhow all things military only have their transponder on if they want.' If they are flying in high traffic areas, FAA requests that they have their ADS-B going, unless: They are operating on Red-Flag 'LiveFire' operations, joint operations involving OPSEC Protocols as clarified by the FAA and DoD documentation, and finally, are among the handful of aircraft exempt from even having a ADS-B Xpndr. aircraft like the B-1B, F-22, B-2 and if i recall correctly any new DoD aircraft listed as Experimental, Classified or otherwise involves National Security/OPSEC to reveal its type and or testing area. Now, every DoD aircraft has the choice to fly in blackout Xpnder modes where we all get the generic icon and no data on the aircraft with the ~Dynamic hex codes, or to fly in open ADSB that reveals its tailcode, aircraft type and all the magical information.
