In our modern era, the prevalence of GPS technology is undeniable. Its introduction into the aviation field in 1994, after receiving approval for IFR use, marked a significant turning point. Since then, it has become deeply ingrained in our day-to-day operations, playing a vital role in navigation, communication, surveillance, ADS-B, and even TAWS. The reliance on this technology is paramount as it ensures our safety.

This presents a significant problem. Its operation heavily relies on radio signals received from satellites, which can be intentionally tampered with. If you are involved in activities between Europe and Asia, you may already be familiar with this issue. What is truly worrisome is the escalating occurrence of such disruptions. EUROCONTROL's latest report reveals a substantial rise in cases of GPS outages over the past five years.

The Hot Spots

Areas of political tension often witness widespread GPS outages, and this trend is particularly evident in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and Caucasus regions. These regions consistently report the highest number of disruptions, with a staggering 3,500 outages recorded just last year.On a daily basis, there are around ten occurrences reported. It is important to note that this figure only includes incidents brought to attention by individuals. The LCCC/Nicosia FIR, which encompasses the airspace over Cyprus and extends to LLBG/Tel Aviv, experiences a particularly high number of incidents. Reports of these occurrences have been documented as far north as Italy, as well as in Turkey and Egypt.

This particular part of the world is characterized by a palpable tension, as it experiences the repercussions of the Syrian War, the ongoing conflict in Libya, and the current Azerbaijani conflict. Unfortunately, it also serves as a vital air route for flights connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Consequently, it becomes almost inevitable to bypass this region.

Nevertheless, its influence extends beyond that specific area. Incidents of GPS sabotage have been documented across the globe, with circles of interference, also known as 'crop circles', being attributed to China, North Korea, and even the United States.

So why tamper with GPS?

It is unfortunate that electromagnetic warfare is a reality that cannot be ignored. The primary aim of military entities is to impede the opposing side as much as possible, which includes disrupting communication networks and navigation systems. Moreover, GPS signal jammer is utilized as a defensive measure against both explosive drones that capture media attention and those employed for surveillance purposes. In certain instances, jamming is employed to safeguard individuals' privacy, but it is regrettable that it can also be exploited for criminal purposes.

Jamming or Spoofing?

The power of GPS signals is relatively weak, rendering receivers vulnerable to malfunction or, more worryingly, the generation of inaccurate data when confronted with feeble sources of interference. Employing jammers, devices that mask the signal with noise, is a common technique to achieve this. While the use of such gps jammer is illegal in the United States, they are permitted in other countries and can be easily obtained.

Within the realm of formidable military applications, a single device possesses the capability to exert influence over a vast 300nm radius, making their identification an arduous task. These devices can be discreetly positioned at military bases, securely affixed to vehicles, or seamlessly integrated onto naval vessels.

So why is this a problem for aviation?

The situation is deteriorating, and the interruptions in service are sporadic and unpredictable. Around seventy-five percent of GPS outages worldwide are taking place during cruise activities, and in ten percent of these scenarios, the loss of signal persists for more than thirty minutes. Furthermore, there have been instances where GPS receivers never recovered a signal.ICAO's guidelines dictate that recurrent power outages should be reported through the issuance of NOTAMs. Regrettably, only a handful of nations are actively complying with this directive. Moreover, the current decrease in flight activity during the pandemic has made it difficult to gauge the severity of this situation.

In the event of a GPS failure, the crew of an aircraft must resort to alternative navigation techniques to traverse through airspace that heavily relies on accurate positioning to maintain safe distances from other aircraft. This predicament can also result in false alerts and even trigger GPWS warnings, adding to the complexity of the situation. The requirement for pilots to overlook these warnings establishes a concerning precedent.

The plot thickens, enter 5G.

The remarkable technology that allows for the rapid downloading of your beloved episode of 'The Bachelor' is something we are all familiar with.Troubling information has recently come to light in the US, revealing that the federal government has authorized a new network provider to utilize a portion of the radio spectrum typically reserved for GPS signals. The objective behind this move is to enable the deployment of a vast 5G network across the entire country.The frequencies exhibit considerable strength, and there is no certainty that they will not impede GPS signals.

When conducting a GPS-based approach, it is essential to consider the possibility of a blank screen and be ready with a plan of action. Recent occurrences have highlighted the vulnerability of this reliable technology, emphasizing the need for preparedness in unexpected situations.