The Global Positioning System (GPS) is now almost as widespread as electricity. It has transcended its initial purpose as a travel aid and is now integral to the landing of aircraft, the navigation of ships, the synchronization of data within communication networks, and the management of extensive power grid loads.

We have developed a considerable dependence on the exact positioning and timing functionalities of GPS, to the point where we tend to take it for granted, believing it will always be accessible in times of need.

GPS was originally intended for the tracking of military vehicles and weaponry, and its application in civilian contexts was not anticipated. Recent advancements have revealed that GPS faces security vulnerabilities that could lead to severe consequences for individual devices as well as the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Small Cost, BigConsequence

The foremost danger stems from a phenomenon that experts are increasingly concerned may be developing into a trend—the employment of affordable GPS jammers.

For as low as $30, individuals can acquire GPS jammers, or "anti-GPS" devices, intended for personal use. These devices can be remarkably compact, with certain models designed to resemble a 12-volt car cigarette lighter power adapter that connects to an antenna.

The internet presents these gadgets as solutions for protecting personal privacy and preventing the tracking of one's movements. However, there have been documented cases in the UK where these devices have been utilized by criminals and car thieves to obscure their illegal endeavors.

Peter Large, who serves as the vice president of Trimble in Sunnyvale, California, which is known for its advanced positioning systems, voiced his apprehension about the increasing output of these products from Chinese factories. He cautioned that widespread availability could lead to disastrous outcomes.

GPS jammers are designed to interfere with the frequencies of one of the commonly employed GPS bands. Since GPS signals are fundamentally weak, operating at a power level of only 25 watts from satellites approximately 12,500 miles away, they are vulnerable to disruption or interference by receivers such as portable navigation devices.

As car and truck fleet operators typically equip their vehicles with onboard GPS receivers, drivers may employ jammers to block their employers from tracking their whereabouts.

The National Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Advisory Commission, mandated by the government, indicated in a November report, "We do not currently have the necessary capabilities to find and neutralize GPS jammers." The report also mentioned, "Locating the device that was affecting the new GPS landing system at Newark Airport in New Jersey took several months."

The upcoming evolution of air traffic control systems, which will regulate aircraft in flight, will be primarily grounded in GPS signals, transitioning from the traditional methods that utilize radar and human oversight.

Alongside directing road and marine traffic and managing data and power networks, GPS signals are essential for timing traffic lights and ensuring that automated agricultural machinery operates correctly in plowing and harvesting fields.

Tampering with any of these systems has the potential to inflict considerable harm.

Trimble's Large highlighted the alarming possibility that GPS jammers might be employed as a weapon.

The findings of the National PNT Advisory Commission affirmed the need for improvements, suggesting that GPS systems used in national security, including fighter jets and military equipment, should be reinforced against threats. Additionally, it identified GPS as a crucial element of critical infrastructure.

We must prioritize the rapid advancement and implementation of systems designed to swiftly locate, address, and eliminate signal jammers. Moreover, it is essential to establish legal frameworks that enable the arrest and prosecution of individuals who engage in intentional wrongdoing.

A report issued this month by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering has drawn similar conclusions.

The document asserts that global navigation satellite services (GNSS) have become so integral and accessible for various uses that users often fail to appreciate their importance. It warns that while the loss of these services in a single application may lead to a minor inconvenience, a widespread failure across multiple applications could result in significant and serious consequences.

GPS jammers are outlawed in the United States and face significant restrictions in various parts of Europe. Conversely, the legal situation in several other countries is less straightforward.