First GPS spoof-proof product to hit market, target growing threat

Photos from Send SolutionsGPS spoofing occurrences have risen in recent years. As technology on aircraft evolves, so must the defense against GPS spoofing and jamming. Send Solutions has unveiled the first independent spoof-proofing product to the market to target the growing threat. Send Solutions has developed a new software addition for the currently certified Airtext+ to safeguard aircraft navigation systems. Unlike GPS jamming, which will interrupt a signal and render it unusable, GPS spoofing will produce false positioning without warning and can often go undetected. These false signals can be 100 or more miles from the actual position, sometimes sending an aircraft toward dangerous areas or hostile airspace without clearance. These errors can severely affect aircraft navigation and can result in result in safety equipment failures. "Spoof Proofing with Airtext+ is the right product due to the increased quantity and locations where we have seen attacks," Send Solutions CEO David Gray said. "Spoofing is not just an "over-there" problem in proximity of military zones, the FAA has recorded attacks at airports in Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, and Sun Valley, ID. Unfortunately, the exposure to spoofing is growing as the technology is readily available." The aviation sector is advancing continually, as are the risks associated. GPS spoofing can pose a significant threat to safety. With an immense need for a solution, Send Solutions invested in research and development efforts to develop a Spoof Proof Airtext+ enhancement. The system enhancements include immediate crew notification, automatic ground reporting and providing a crew map of current and non-spoof location aids for the resolution of Safe aircraft operations. Airtext+ is equipped with software and GNSS hardware monitoring that is three times the current GPS navigation satellites. It uses the latest algorithms to detect and counteract any GPS spoofing attempt. The system will provide real-time monitoring of GPS signals and FMS 429 labels, immediately alerting the flight crew and ground control agencies to a possible GPS jamming or spoofing event, allowing the crew to respond and intervene quickly. Airtext+ will integrate with an existing aircraft navigation system to offer an overview of the navigation status and the integrity of the GPS position being used to steer the aircraft. When a spoofing or jamming event is encountered, Airtext+ will notify the crew that immediate action is needed to reduce any corruption of the FMS or Hybrid airplane position. The system will also transmit a message to ground control agencies or flight dispatch through Iridium to identify the nature of the event and other relevant information. The Airtext+ system will offer a high-resolution Dead Reckoning position that can be input into the aircraft navigation system, determined by the last known qualified position before the spoofing or jamming event occurs. The Airtext+ user interface makes it easy for pilots and ground personnel to monitor and manage the system by enhancing operational efficiency. The annunciation of an event can be done so with an installed or portable annunciator. Airtext+ will detect a GPS signal Loss Of Integrity or Denial Of Service and automatically enter a DR mode until the qualified GNSS signals have been re-established. Pilots flying in the Middle East have reported numerous spoofing attacks, with planes flying into hostile airspaces, losing GPS, IRS failure and drifting by nearly 100 miles. The FAA has issued a memo to pilots on the high number of reported attacks, advising them of the potential spoofing risk. "The recent opensource reporting regarding spoofing incidents, if confirmed, would pose increased safety of flight risks, due to potential loss of aircraft situational awareness and increased pilot and regional air traffic control (ATC) workload issues, which can lead to potential accidents and/or loss of life," the FAA said. "FAA recommends that U.S. civil air operators transiting ORBB and UBBA monitor regional NOTAMs, put additional emphasis on maintaining continuous communications with appropriate air traffic control authorities while monitoring aircraft equipment performance closely for any discrepancies or anomalies, and be prepared to operate without GPS navigational systems."RELATED STORIES:EASA, IATA partner to counter GPS spoofing, jamming threatGPS spoofing attacks continue across Middle East, grad student identifies source In the fall of 2023, dozens of reports accumulated around parts of the Middle East. Many of these reports were broken down and a team of graduate students narrowed down the source of spoofing to the eastern periphery of Tehran. Spoofing attacks have not been limited to parts of the Middle East, with reported incidents around the globe. According to The Defense Post, a British Royal Air Force plane carrying the UK defense minister experienced signal jamming when it flew past Russian territory around March 13. Spoofing and jamming attacks are a growing threat to air travel safety and security. With solutions like the Spoof Proof Airtext+ enhancement, pilots can guard their navigation systems against an evolving threat.The spoof-proofing solution is currently in flight testing on three Part 25 planes, including a Falcon 900, Citation X and Learjet 60. Airtext+ with Spoof Proofing can be ordered now and will ship in April.