The capability of armed forces to deny access to GNSS services has led some countries to invest in technologies that enable military forces to continue relying on GNSS-based navigation. The U.S., which operates the GPS navigation system using medium Earth orbit satellites, is among those investing in such technologies.
GPS anti-jamming systems protect against deliberate interference for GPS receivers. A small jammer with around 10 watts can disrupt an unprotected code receiver within a 30-kilometer line of sight.
Recently, civil aviation sectors have recognized the need for protection against GPS service denial. In early 2024, disturbances in the Middle East and Ukraine prompted civil aviation regulatory bodies to seek solutions. In January, the International Air Transport Association and European regulator EASA held a meeting at EASA's Cologne headquarters.
Several aerospace and defense groups are working on applying military-originated technology to protect civil aircraft from interference.
Most major technological companies are investing in anti-jamming systems. Collins Aerospace offers a system that integrates with a GPS receiver or operates standalone, securing GPS signals in dense electromagnetic environments while rejecting spoofed signals. Raytheon provides various anti-jamming systems as well.
UK-based Cobham has developed an anti-jamming system combining advanced controlled radiation pattern array antenna technology with intelligent digital signal-processing techniques after more than a decade of development.
In Canada, NovaTel’s GPS Anti-Jam Technology delivers assured positioning, navigation, and timing solutions under combat conditions by protecting navigation systems from radio frequency interference and jamming. Mayflower Communications Company offers NavGuard Anti-Jam Systems in the U.S.
Israeli defense sources indicate that Russia assists Iran in upgrading its electronic warfare capabilities, including GPS denial capabilities. Israel closely monitors these developments due to concerns about potential GNSS disruptions against civil aviation as covert warfare tactics alongside threats posed by Iranian surrogate Houthi forces targeting shipping in the Red Sea.
Israel's air force has equipped military aircraft with anti-jamming systems due to Russian-made GPS jammers' proliferation in the Middle East. In 2021, they revealed integrating advanced anti-jamming capability developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) into EW defensive systems used by different squadrons through ADA Anti-Jam GPS System designed for protecting GPS/GNSS navigation from jamming
The ADA system appears on platforms like F-16 fighters and multiple drones demonstrating operational maturity; it serves several undisclosed international customers across airborne land marine platforms now offered by IAI both civilian/military clients alike maintaining assured positioning/navigation/timing overcoming jammed scenarios using advanced digital processing techniques ensuring immunity even severe dynamic multi-jammer situations supported Multi-GNSS/GPS M-Code modular architecture allowing integration immune GNNS receiver independent RF add-on via connection third-party receivers enabling plug-play installation approach
Alerts Sign-up
