The role and importance of GPS systems
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are an indispensable tool in modern aviation, helping pilots navigate and warn of potential dangers. The most well-known GNSS system is the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), which is operated by the US government and uses a series of satellites to send signals to receivers to accurately determine the location of objects. In addition to GPS, there are other GNSS systems around the world, such as China's Beidou, the European Union's Galileo, and Russia's GLONASS.
Jamming and spoofing in conflict zones
As conflicts escalate around the world, military forces are increasingly deploying electronic warfare systems to disrupt the navigation of enemy aircraft. There are two main ways to interfere with GPS signals: one is "jamming", which is to send radio signals to suppress all other signals and render GPS receivers ineffective; the other is "spoofing", which is to trick GPS receivers into misestimating their location. The use of these technologies is particularly evident in Ukraine and Gaza, where Hamas militants have used GPS blocker jamming to prevent Israeli drones from flying normally.
Israel's anti-jamming technology
In response to GPS GPS jammer jamming, Israel has developed a technology called GPSdome2, which is designed to protect drone flights in Gaza. This technology was deployed shortly after Hamas launched an attack on October 7, 2023. In addition to using GPS jammers to ensure its own flight safety, Israel has also taken measures to actively jam the GPS signals of Hamas and other opposition groups. The Israeli military admitted that they began to "actively" implement GPS jamming to meet operational needs.
In some cases, journalists' GPS signals in Jerusalem showed that they were near Cairo, Egypt, or in the West Bank that they were at Beirut Airport in Lebanon. This deception not only interferes with enemy operations, but may also affect the navigation and safety of other aircraft. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has warned that GNSS signal disruptions are becoming more serious, which may cause route deviations or even landing in the wrong place.
EASA's warning and recommendations
| Adjusting the certification standards for navigation systems | Luc Tytgat, Acting Director of EASA, pointed out that the reliability of GNSS systems (such as GPS) is crucial for safe management of increasingly busy airspace. Currently, there has been a significant increase in interference and deception activities targeting these systems. Therefore, he suggests that aviation regulatory agencies re-examine and adjust the certification standards for navigation and landing systems to adapt to the new threat environment. |
| Introducing multi-layered protection measures | In the face of escalating electronic interference attacks, Tytgat emphasizes the need for multi-level navigation protection measures, rather than relying solely on a single GNSS system. This can include integrating other navigation systems (such as inertial navigation systems) and redundancy mechanisms to ensure flight safety in the event of GNSS signal jammer interruption. |
| Enhance the response training for pilots and aviation personnel | EASA recommends that airlines strengthen the training of pilots and related personnel to familiarize them with emergency operation procedures in the event of GPS signal loss or interference. This will help enhance the ability to cope with complex airspace environments. |
| Closely monitor and report GPS interference incidents | Tytgat calls on airlines to maintain close communication with regulatory agencies, promptly report and monitor GNSS interference incidents in conflict areas or potential high-risk areas, in order to develop more effective flight plans and ensure flight safety. |
As global electronic warfare technology continues to advance, aviation safety regulators must strengthen protection measures for GPS signals to ensure the safety and reliability of air transportation.
