GPS Security & Resilience is a Ground Game

Time to move past the GPS of our grandparents. "The proliferation of connected devices (IoT), autonomous driving, advanced air mobility, smart grids, and autonomous vehicles will drive the demand for resilient and robust PNT." " . . . there is more to PNT than satellite navigation". Luis Mayo .

We need a whole-of-government approach, working together with the private sector to counter Chinese PNT gains. David Simpson

The U.S. government and its presidents have recognized the critical need for a terrestrial backup to the space-based Global Positioning System (GPS) since at least 2004.

This acknowledgment began with President George W. Bush, who issued a policy mandate in 2004 emphasizing the need for GPS redundancy to address vulnerabilities in the system. Since then, every subsequent presidential administration has reiterated the importance of developing a terrestrial backup to mitigate risks such as jamming, spoofing, or other disruptions to GPS services.

For instance, during President Donald Trump's first term, an executive order was signed to strengthen American resilience by identifying and promoting approaches to manage risks to critical infrastructure from GPS disruptions.

Despite this long-standing recognition, progress has been slow. The National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board has consistently warned about the U.S.'s over-reliance on GPS and the lack of a robust terrestrial backup, with notable reports and memos issued in recent years, such as a July 2024 memo highlighting the disparity with adversaries like China and Russia, who have implemented terrestrial backup systems.

Additionally, bipartisan legislation in 2018 reinforced the need for a terrestrial backup, and a 2020 Executive Order further emphasized the responsible use of PNT services, yet no comprehensive national terrestrial system has been established as of 2025.

In summary, the critical need for a terrestrial GPS backup has been identified by the U.S. government and its presidents for over two decades, starting in 2004, with ongoing calls for action but limited implementation to date.

Great article from Kevin Dennehy: U.S. government official said that GPS jamming is occurring with increased frequency along the border.

“It very purposeful interference. It connected with cartel activity,” said Christopher Erickson, chief of PNT and spectrum, U.S. Air Force assistant secretary for space acquisition and integration. “[It involves] moving things across the border. It is very much not ambient interference.”

David Simpson, Breaking Defense. GPS resiliency is falling short, but a solution is available.

Great to see Brendan Keefe at Atlanta News First highlighting the critical need for 21st-century GPS solutions. Great comments from Admiral Thad Allen. "The vulnerability of GPS, both jamming and spoofing, is a real and considerable threat to the country and needs to be taken seriously."

Dana A. Goward, FRIN, Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, time to build and collaborate with leaders like Richard Hoptroff and organizations like the International Timing and Sync Forum (ITSF)

Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones will be our generation's Interstate Highway. Building Stronger and More Connected Nations. Enabling solutions like Artificial Intelligence, Spatial Computing, Intelligent Transportation, Autonomous Systems, advanced city services, and, most importantly, securing data for people, cities, and governments. Ensuring the economic value serves the communities from which it is extracted.