GPS jamming: What alternative satellite systems is the EU developing to circumvent it? | DW News

Key Concepts:

• GPS Jamming/Spoofing: Intentional interference with or manipulation of GPS signals.
• Hybrid Threat: A threat combining conventional and unconventional methods, including cyber warfare and electronic warfare.
• Resilient Navigation and Timing (R-NT): Systems and strategies designed to maintain accurate positioning, navigation, and timing information even when GPS is unavailable or unreliable.
• eLoran: Enhanced Long Range Navigation, a terrestrial radio navigation system as an alternative to GPS.

GPS Jamming as a Hybrid Threat

• NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg identifies GPS jamming as a "hybrid" threat with potentially disastrous effects. NATO is increasing its efforts in hybrid and cyber defense.
• Dana Goward emphasizes the seriousness of GPS jamming, citing its potential to cause confusion for pilots, provide inaccurate information, and trigger false terrain warnings.

Safety Impacts of GPS Jamming on Aviation

• Confusion and Bad Information: GPS jamming can confuse pilots and provide them with inaccurate information, making it difficult for them to trust their instruments.
• False Terrain Warnings: Multiple instances of false terrain warnings have been reported, where aircraft receive warnings about imminent impact with terrain despite being at a safe altitude.
• Near-Miss Incident: One instance is cited where an aircraft was not warned and nearly flew into a mountain.
• Christmas Day Incident: On Christmas Day, a Russian aircraft fired on an Azerbaijani passenger plane due to GPS jamming, causing it to crash land and resulting in 38 fatalities.

Scale and Scope of GPS Interference

• The Associated Press has plotted almost 80 incidents of GPS disruption across Europe, blaming Russia.
• Dana Goward argues that 80 incidents is a "staggeringly small number," estimating that there have been thousands of such incidents over the last three years.
• The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is "incredibly concerned," particularly about GPS interference in Northern Europe, the Middle East, and the vicinity of Ukraine.

Preparedness and Defense Against GPS Interference

• Dana Goward cannot comment on NATO's classified capabilities for defending against GPS interference.
• He expresses concern about the preparedness of civilian infrastructure in the West.
• While some improvements can be made to GPS receivers to combat jamming and spoofing, an alternative form of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) is needed.
• The British and French are working on re-establishing and enhancing the eLoran network in Northern Europe, but this is still several years away.

Italy's Decision to Hide Flight Paths of State Officials

• Italy is considering hiding the flight paths of its top state officials for security reasons.
• Dana Goward acknowledges the need to increase security for state officials.
• However, he argues that this measure is unlikely to prevent the kind of widespread GPS interference that affected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's flight.

Resilient Navigation and Timing (R-NT) Foundation's Perspective

• Dana Goward, as president of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, advocates for alternative PNT solutions to GPS.
• He emphasizes the need for resilient infrastructure to ensure reliable navigation and timing information, even when GPS is unavailable or compromised.

Conclusion

GPS jamming is a serious and growing threat to aviation safety and other critical infrastructure. While measures like hiding flight paths may offer some security benefits, a more comprehensive approach is needed. This includes improving GPS receiver technology, developing alternative PNT systems like eLoran, and enhancing international cooperation to address the sources of GPS interference. The lack of preparedness in the civilian sector is a significant concern, and urgent action is needed to build more resilient navigation and timing infrastructure.