Cyber Threats Prompt Return for Radio Navigation

Robert AK3Q  has shared a very interesting link about the return of ground based radio navigation due to possible cyber attacks. South Korea, the US and others are looking into reinstating the Loran system (now updated to ELoran) as a secondary navigation system.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-shipping-gps-cyber-idUSKBN1AN0HT

Another member had this to add :

I find it interesting.  I also find it difficult to restrain my, "I
told you so!"

I worked for a Loran manufacturer.  I wrote software that handled
communication between stations in a Loran chain.  (Stations in a
chain adjust their time of emission as signal propagation velocity
changes due to atmospheric changes.  This is done so that points
on the surface always observe the same time difference between
signals sent from different stations.)

I've been on fishing boats and other small craft in the China Sea off
the west coast of Korea.  A few things bothered me: many of those
boats lacked redundant engines and fuel systems, some didn't have
radios, and they were relying on GPS for navigation.  Heart in throat.

They seemed to feel that the threat of engine failure didn't warrant a
backup because they could use their cell phones to call another boat
(There are always other boats, aren't there?) and tell them where the
GPS said they were.  Hmm...  Too many single points of failure for me.

Back in the day, when GPS was young and occasionally went south,
a cruise ship returning to Boston ran aground.  When this happens to
a commercial vessel, government agencies get excited.

The Coast Guard secured the bridge and initiated an investigation.

The crew had been using GPS.  Oops: GPS wasn't recognized as a
suitable aid to navigation at that time.

"Where does the Loran system say you are?"

"Right on this reef outside the harbor."

Thanks to Robert for your contribution.

 

 

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