GPS Vulnerability Articles

October 4, 2009 - GPSWorld

The most widely used of all GPS devices are in-car navigators. When vehicles carrying navigators are used for criminal purposes, records contained in the devices may be examined. Such investigations rely on newly developed forensic techniques that employ a combination of computer expertise and navigation knowledge, yielding valuable data for crime investigators.

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The use of GPS jammers, long foreseen in navigation circles, has become a reality as criminals employ them to overcome tracking systems and steal vehicles. These low-powered transmitters (see photo), readily available over the Internet for as little as $150, can block GPS reception in a vehicle's vicinity.

4.30.2009 What GAO Found

It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption.  If not, some military operationa and some civilian users could be adversely affected.

Full Report (PDF).

3.30.2009  In January 2007, China destroyed an aging satellite with a direct-ascent kinetic vehicle.  Two years after the Chinese event, two large communications satellites collided, creating massive debris clouds that threaten our space assets for years to come.

3.25.09 On the user side, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has become so small and effective it has seemed to almost disappear. ...

A recent report from the Department of Defense (DoD), however, raises a few warning flags about the space-based leg of the system: the satellites. Some bad breaks and the satellite leg could find itself significantly degraded. Should that happen, all that excellent GPS user equipment could be less useful than we have come to expect.

Link to article.

3.2.09 - The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland conducted a GPS jamming exercise in spring 2008 to investigate the effect of GPS service denial on maritime navigation and DGPS monitoring operations, as well as evaluate the performance of eLoran.

9.28.08 — GPS is a United States navigation system of more than 30 satellites circling Earth twice a day in specific orbits, transmitting signals to receivers on land, sea, and in air to calculate their exact locations. If such a ubiquitous system were to come under attack, would we be ready?