Why GPS Is Under Attack

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is facing increasing threats from jamming and spoofing attacks, with over 60,000 commercial flights affected this year alone. The American GPS network is at risk of becoming outdated compared to Chinese, Russian, and European systems. GPS is crucial for modern life, with implications for emergency services, power grids, and communication systems. While GPS is reliable and widely used, it is vulnerable to manipulation. Jamming attacks disrupt signals, while spoofing attacks provide false location data, impacting both military and commercial operations. Satellites are also vulnerable to physical attacks, with the U.S. lagging behind in satellite technology development. Other countries like China and Europe have advanced systems with authentication measures and backup plans in place. China, for example, is investing in timing stations and fiber-optic cables for navigation without satellites. The U.S. proposed a backup plan a decade ago but has been slow to implement it, putting it at a disadvantage in the evolving space technology race.