China has devised various strategies to bypass the Global Positioning System (GPS) if it opts to attack Western technologies.
Utilizing a blend of Cold War-era technology alongside advanced GPS techniques, China has collaborated with other U.S. adversaries to gain an edge in essential technology and shield its systems from possible assaults.
One expert noted that “the United States and many Western allies currently have some unique vulnerabilities.”
GPS serves as a crucial backbone for telecommunications, power grids, banking, and even public transport systems. It offers traditional navigation for everyday users — think cars and smartphones — while also guiding precise military operations.
Aiden Buzzetti, president of the Bull Moose Project, shared in an interview that the U.S. has acknowledged the risks posed by GPS-related attacks.
He commented, “We know that the Russians are jamming GPS… civil aviation in the Baltics, Sweden, and Finland often faces disruptions due to this jamming.” He added, “North Korea does similar things. Really, most of America’s main adversaries employ some level of GPS jamming. It’s a consistent issue.”
This ongoing threat has prompted countries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia to create multiple layers of protection regarding GPS usage.
Buzzetti elaborated, “The United States and many Western allies have some unique vulnerabilities right now. We depend heavily on satellite signals, while other nations, using a mix of older and next-gen technologies, are working to minimize their susceptibility to similar attacks.”
The technologies he refers to are quite varied, pulling from what might seem outmoded to what appears incredibly advanced.
In a report regarding the security of U.S. 5G networks and GPS infrastructure, Bull Moose highlighted that adversarial nations are actively developing positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities for the future.
According to the report, countries engaged in “navigational warfare” are rolling out systems to secure strategic advantages in electronic warfare:
Loran-C Radio Navigation Network
Originally established in the 1950s, this system allows for location determination via low-frequency radio signals from beacons.
China has continued to function on 100 kHz, even integrating with South Korea and Russia to form the Regional Far East Radionavigation Service, which dates back to 1989.
In essence, Loran-C acts as an aging radio system helping ships and aircraft calculate distance using signals from radio towers.
Inertial Navigation System/Quantum Positioning
These systems leverage motion sensors and computing power to pinpoint location based on previously established fixed points. Quantum positioning, for example, employs gyroscopes and accelerometers to ascertain speed and direction without any external signals, which is a distinct advantage over GPS.
While gyroscopes track angular velocity, accelerometers determine how quickly an object is speeding up or slowing down.
LEO Satellite
In addition, China has ramped up the deployment of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This summer alone, they launched a significant number of these satellites, enhancing capabilities for faster communication, surveillance, and GPS systems that are trickier to disrupt compared to traditional GPS signals from medium-Earth orbit.
Think of these satellites as China’s own version of Starlink.
Buzzetti noted that “China is making sure that no single failure can jeopardize its navigation capabilities.” He cautioned that if the U.S. doesn’t bolster its systems, it might become vulnerable to attacks that could dismantle its crucial infrastructure altogether. He suggested a thorough evaluation of companies that operate within the U.S. related to communications projects.
