Can We See Military Aircraft on Flightradar24?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ 1: Are all military aircraft visible on Flightradar24?

Well, if only it were that simple! Unfortunately, not all military aircraft can be seen on Flightradar24. The core reason behind this lies in the very nature of military operations. Think about it — revealing your location isn’t exactly strategic in a military context, is it? Hence, military aircraft often employ protocols that limit their visibility to maintain operational security.

Also, not all aircraft are equipped with ADS-B transponders, the key technology that Flightradar24 uses to track planes. Some military aircraft might not have these transponders to begin with, while others might switch them off for security reasons. Even when military aircraft do have their transponders turned on, they might be operating in areas with limited ADS-B coverage. Therefore, while you can spot some military aircraft on Flightradar24, many will remain invisible.

FAQ 2: Why do some military aircraft have civilian registrations?

There could be a few reasons for this. Military forces might lease or borrow civilian aircraft for their missions, or they might want to keep a low profile. So, civilian registration doesn’t necessarily mean the aircraft is used exclusively for civilian purposes.