GPSIA Statement
on the OpsGroup GPS Spoofing WorkGroup Report
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 2024
CONTACT: Elizabeth Rothenberger
elizabeth.rothenberger@fticonsulting.com
WASHINGTON – GPSIA applauds the initiative undertaken by more than 900 air safety professionals and outside experts as they tackled and characterized this important threat to public safety. The sheer scale of these spoofing attacks and the combined jamming and spoofing attacks is startling, particularly the 41,000 reported events from July 15 – August 15, 2024. Of note is the key finding that these incidents are occurring in conflict zones by state actors who are attempting to counter the use of drones. The group’s commitment to demystifying the role of GPS in aviation and correcting misperceptions is also immensely valuable.
GPSIA urges government officials, to include aviation authorities, military leaders, budget officials, and regulators, to immediately convene a high-level group responsible for addressing this urgent public safety issue. This group must convene outside experts to inform their discussions and focus on developing solutions that can be implemented in the near, medium, and long term, to include incorporating complementary space-based position, navigation, and timing satellite systems into the aviation sector.
As the report notes, there are no quick and easy solutions. The financial, training, and other investments made in the aviation industry’s use of GPS are extensive and have brought important benefits to passengers, industry, and the environment. GPS will continue to provide valuable information to the aviation and other public safety sectors.
The report identifies technical, policy, and procedural recommendations. They should be evaluated and prioritized by government regulatory, budgetary, and aviation authorities, as appropriate and after consultation with outside experts. This report also serves as an important reminder of the importance of updating receiver firmware when recommended by the manufacturer.
Previous GPSIA Activities, Op-Eds, Statements on Harmful Interference:
What are the impacts of jamming and spoofing on civilians?, Webinar, September 17, 2024
No More Jammer Sales: It’s Time for Global Enforcement, Space News, April 22, 2024
GPSIA Statement on Disruptions to Global Navigation Satellite Systems, February 14, 2024
About GPS Innovation Alliance
The GPS Innovation Alliance promotes Global Positioning System (GPS), other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), complementary space-based position, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems, and their receivers and devices. We are firmly committed to protecting these technologies from harmful interference. GPSIA champions innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, which bolster the vital contributions of GPS, GNSS, and PNT -enabled technologies to public safety, critical infrastructure, and the global economy. For more information, please visit www.gpsalliance.org.