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GPS Interference

Syllabus

GS 3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers

Context:

A recent study showed that GPS signals can be disturbed from a distance, which can affect both military and civilian transport systems, even without any direct physical attack.

More on the News:

  • Last week, a Delhi-Jammu flight had to turn back. Earlier this month, two tankers collided at the Strait of Hormuz. In May, a ship ran aground near Jeddah port.
  • All these incidents had one thing in common: GPS interference, which has recently become a major threat to ships and aircraft.

About GPS Interference

  • GPS interference means attacking GPS signals to confuse navigation systems. It is mainly done in two ways: spoofing and jamming. These are types of cyber-attacks.
  • Spoofing tricks a GPS system by sending it false signals. Jamming blocks the signals completely so the GPS stops working.
  • Though both terms are often used together, spoofing and jamming are slightly different methods of interference.

GPS Jamming

  • GPS jamming, also called GPS intervention, uses a device (jammer) to send strong radio signals on GPS frequencies.
  • This overpowers the weaker satellite signals, stopping GPS systems from accurately detecting location or time.

GPS spoofing

  • GPS spoofing happens when a device sends signals on the same frequencies as GPS satellites. This confuses the GPS receiver by blocking or overpowering real signals.
  • Unlike jamming, which simply blocks GPS, spoofing tricks the receiver into showing false location or time data.

Consequences of GPS interference

  • GPS interference can affect both military and civilian transport by disrupting navigation systems from a distance, without any direct physical attack or contact.
  • Spoofing can mislead pilots about their aircraft’s location, raising the risk of crashes.
  • For ships, it can cause groundings or collisions, disrupting maritime traffic and endangering lives and cargo.
  • In 2024, reports showed that GPS spoofing was happening up to 700 times a day worldwide, showing how widespread and dangerous the threat has become.
  • For critical systems like air traffic control, port operations, and vessel traffic services (VTS), spoofing can lead to major system failures.
  • GPS interference doesn’t just affect air and sea. With more people depending on GPS for road travel, spoofing can cause traffic jams and stop transport systems, especially if done during emergencies or by those with harmful intent.

Mitigation Strategies

  • Inertial Navigation Systems (INS): Aircraft rely on INS, which use gyroscopes and accelerometers to track current position based on the last known location.
  • Ground-Based Radio Navigation: VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) allow pilots to cross-check their position using ground-based signals.
  • Celestial Navigation and Dead Reckoning: In extreme cases, pilots may use celestial navigation or dead reckoning to estimate their position, though these are less common in modern aviation.
  • Instrument Landing Systems (ILS): ILS, used for precision landings, remains unaffected by GPS spoofing and provides reliable landing support.
  • Enhanced Crew Training (DGCA): DGCA has emphasised better crew training. Pilots are encouraged to listen for unusual chatter in the control room to detect possible spoofing.
  • Manual Helm Control (Maritime): During suspected spoofing, ships shift from auto-pilot to manual helm control using terrestrial navigation aids like lighthouses and radars.
  • Multi-Constellation GNSS Systems: Ships are using multi-constellation GNSS receivers to access GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, reducing reliance on any single system.
  • Use of NavIC (India): The Indian military has deployed NavIC, developed by ISRO, to provide accurate positioning and timing across India and up to 1,500 km beyond.
  • Diversification of Navigation Systems: Diversification is seen as a core strategy to reduce the risks of GPS interference.

Mains Question

With increasing incidents of GPS spoofing and jamming, navigation-based disruptions pose serious threats to civil and military infrastructure. Examine the implications of GPS interference and suggest mitigation strategies with reference to India’s preparedness. (15M, 250W)

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