The aviation sector is urging immediate measures to address the escalating issue of GPS “spoofing,” where false signals disrupt the accuracy of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.
An airplane cockpit. Image credit: Moritz Mentges via Unsplash, free license
The surge in such activities, fueled by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, has raised concerns in the industry.
Russian involvement ins this kind of communication-disrupting activity is extensively documented. According to a 2019 report from the analytical nonprofit organization C4ADS based in Washington, there is substantial evidence of GPS spoofing originating from a Russian-controlled air base in Syria. The report further suggests that during Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s travels to remote areas or Russian-occupied Crimea, he was accompanied by mobile GPS-spoofing technology.
The surge in both frequency and complexity of such radio interference has been astounding. For example, Airbus reported close to 50,000 instances of interference on its aircraft last year, a figure more than four times higher than the preceding year.
A meeting, organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is scheduled in Cologne, Germany, to address this challenge. Participants include airlines, aircraft manufacturers, aviation technology firms, and regulatory bodies, aiming to discuss potential solutions to counteract GPS interference and its impact on commercial aviation.
In December, the aviation advisory body OPSGROUP raised concerns about a significant rise in GPS spoofing incidents affecting both private and commercial jets in the Middle East, specifically in regions such as Iraq, Iran, Israel, and the Black Sea.
AirBaltic, an airline operating in Eastern Europe’s Baltic region, reported an uptick in spoofing incidents and signal jamming. Despite the availability of technology capable of countering such activities, it is predominantly accessible to military users or those with the financial means to procure it privately, such as owners of business jets.
Certifying new technologies for implementation in civil aircraft can be a lengthy process, often taking up to a decade, according to industry officials. However, given the escalating frequency of spoofing incidents, many in the industry are emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue without delay.
Additionally, export controls pose a hurdle to making such technologies accessible for passenger jets, as mentioned by defense firm Honeywell, which develops avionics solutions to counter jamming and spoofing.
The agenda for Thursday’s meeting outlines discussions on both short-term and long-term solutions, evaluating available technologies that can be implemented immediately. The key challenge lies in formulating a coordinated approach that is not only acceptable to regulators but also cost-effective for airlines.
IATA, the International Air Transport Association, specified that the meeting’s primary focus would be on creating guidance for risk mitigation. The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) acknowledged the event but did not provide information on the guest list or elaborate on the agenda.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasized its collaboration with interagency and international partners on developing global navigation satellite system (GNSS) authentication capabilities, along with tools for identifying, locating, and mitigating GNSS disruptions.
What is GPS spoofing? Why is it dangerous in aviation?
GPS spoofing is a technique in which false signals are generated to deceive Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, leading them to provide inaccurate location information.
This manipulation of signals can be done for various purposes, including military tactics, privacy invasion, or disrupting navigation systems. Spoofing involves broadcasting signals that mimic authentic GPS signals, misleading devices or systems that rely on GPS data.
In aviation, GPS spoofing poses a significant threat. It can potentially mislead aircraft navigation systems, leading to off-course routes and creating confusion for pilots and air traffic control. The surge in GPS spoofing incidents, particularly in regions affected by conflicts or geopolitical tensions, has raised concerns in the aviation industry, sparking heated discussions and efforts to address this security issue.
Written by Alius Noreika