GNSS jamming and GPS spoofing Risks: DGCA Issues Airspace Advisory

Context: Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory circular on interference with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in airspace, highlighting the threats of GNSS jamming and GPS spoofing pose for aircraft operations.

GNSS jamming and GPS spoofing

• GPS Spoofing: Global Positioning System (GPS) spoofing is an attack aimed at overriding a GPS-enabled device’s original location. 
  • Attacker uses a radio transmitter that broadcasts fake GPS signals and interferes with GPS receivers nearby. As a result, those devices display fake GPS locations. 
• Findings of EASA: According to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), GPS spoofing has risen since 2022 with increase in sophistication. 
  • For instance, GPS spoofing in aviation has mainly been seen in areas around conflict zones but is also prevalent in the south and eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Arctic area. 
  • This has caused greater concern after about 20 business jets and commercial flights reported GPS spoofing near the Iran-Iraq border.
• Implications for an Aircraft: 
  • GPS spoofing can put the aircraft off its intended course and result in intrusion or collision. 
  • A GNSS interference can also result in false data for a plane’s fuel computation system, flight management system, and ground or wind speed information on the navigation display.

• Solution to this Problem: There is no clear solution yet, but aircraft makers and technology providers are working on it. 
  • However, global aviation regulatory bodies have advised airlines to train their crew on GPS spoofing, and discuss the possible alternatives to conventional arrival-and-approach procedures during flight planning.
• Steps Taken by India: After forming a committee on GPS spoofing, the Indian civil aviation regulator issued an advisory to Indian airlines. 
  • It has provided a mechanism for air navigation service providers to establish a threat monitoring and analysis network in coordination with the regulator for preventive as well as reactive threat monitoring. 
  • It also wants reports of GNSS interference to be analyzed so as to develop a robust and immediate threat response capability to a spoofing incident.

What is GAGAN?

• GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN): It is a step by the Indian Government towards initial Satellite-based Navigation Services in India. 
  • It is a system to improve the accuracy of a GNSS receiver by providing reference signals.
• Collaboration of: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have collaborated to develop the GAGAN as a regional Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
  •  GAGAN is inter-operable with other international SBAS systems.
• Goal: To provide a navigation system to assist aircraft in accurate landing over the Indian airspace and in the adjoining area and applicable to safety-to-life civil operations. 
• Achievement: GAGAN is the first SBAS in the world which has been certified for approach with vertical guidance operating in the equatorial ionospheric region.
  • GAGAN ionospheric algorithm was developed by ISRO. This makes India the third country in the world which has such precision approach capabilities.
• Benefits to Other Sectors: Including transportation, railways, surveying, maritime, highways, telecom industry, and security agencies.

Also Read: GPS Spoofing and Jamming: Security threats in Aviation

News Source: Mint