The transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), carrying relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar under 'Operation Brahma' late last month faced "GPS spoofing", leading to security concerns as pilots were forced to depend on the backup systems.
India sent the first consignment of relief materials to Myanmar on March 29 in a C-130 J aircraft and its pilots reported that the plane's GPS signal was tampered with when it was in Myanmar's airspace, according to a PTI report. When the aircraft faced "GPS interference and spoofing", the pilots immediately activated the backup system called 'inertial navigation system', the sources told the news agency.
After the first aircraft experienced GPS "interference" and "spoofing", the pilots of other aircraft were sensitised about the problem and they were flying to Myanmar expecting such a challenge, the sources said.
Understanding GPS proofing
GPS proofing refers to the process of manipulating Global Positioning System (GPS) data, misleading the GPS receiver about a specific location. It is a form of cyber attack in which the reliability of the GPS data is tampered with, which could possibly cause a significant risk to the aircraft (vehicles or vessels).
GPS functions by sending signals from satellites to GPS receivers, which then calculate the position, taking into account the time taken for the signals to reach. However, due to the weak signal strength of satellites, these signals can be overrun by fake signals, leading to inaccurate location data on the receiving device.
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GPS spoofing is used to trick an aircraft into thinking it is in a different location as it receives false location data. It is done by exploiting the inherent vulnerabilities in the GPS infrastructure, including the weak signal strength. At times, spoofing results in shifting of GPS position from 50 miles to around several hundred miles, according to the experts.
Used to mislead enemy navigation systems, such as ships or aircraft, by projecting false locations the hostile forces can direct these vehicles/aircraft/vessels to deviate dangerously from their intended routes. GPS spoofing can lead to life-threatening situations, such as misdirected vehicles, disrupted supply chains, and compromised military operations.
When asked if the IAF would probe the incidents, the sources said it is practically impossible to investigate such episodes if they take place in foreign airspace.
"The GPS spoofing must have been carried out by our adversary in the region," said a source without explaining, reports PTI.
—With agency inputs
