This is part two of a blog series on the prevalence, differences between and associated risks of GPS jamming and spoofing, calling to attention the importance of putting a preemptive strategy in place. For an introductory understanding of the foundational basics of definitions, and its prevalence, start here.
Let’s face it… GPS or GNSS signals are vulnerable to interference, making them a prime target for jamming and spoofing threats that affect a myriad of industries. Whether it’s just radio frequency (RF) “noise” from an IoT-rich world or the steady rise of nefarious intentional disruptions, it’s imperative to have the proper mitigation protections in place.
How common is GPS signal disruption?
Interference is plentiful wherever multiple sensors are situated in close proximity with GPS devices, as is the case on industrial machinery, vehicles and even drones. The large amount of sensitive data being generated makes them inherently vulnerable to intentional attack.
Beyond that, the proliferation of electronic devices in urban environments (cellular towers, Wi-Fi networks, broadcasting stations and even personal electronic devices) can lead to a wave of signals that can be disruptive to GPS receivers. This will only increase as the wireless communication industry adds even more spectrum to the fold.
A Trimble quality assurance engineer installs a vehicle flasher to participate in the 2025 Jammertest motorcade. The GPS antenna must be affixed to the vehicle mount precisely, so as to mitigate any potential radio frequency interference (RFI) from the vehicle chassis and surrounding environment.
Which industries are GPS jamming or spoofing targets?
While the military was initially the prime target for GPS jamming and spoofing, critical infrastructures have increasingly become fertile ground for all forms of radio interference. Whether incidental or intentional, public safety, transportation, agriculture and public utility sectors (including power and water), are susceptible. In 2021, the Department of Homeland Security recognized threats targeting GPS and precision agriculture, calling for stronger public/private sector collaboration to “foster preparedness and resilience… against all threats…” that could disrupt or devastate U.S. supply chains.
The digital landscape has made jammers and spoofers increasingly accessible — often disguised as innocuous USB sticks or car chargers — for as little as $5. Some jammers have multi-frequency capabilities, amplifying their destructive power. Recent advancements using open-source jamming and spoofing software have made this easier than ever for hackers. Even a tiny 10 mW chirp jammer can knock out GPS signals within a radius of several miles, making the range of GPS jammers more challenging to overcome.
Federal agencies have even formally pushed for advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technologies to offset the threat to the transportation industry. In fact, the GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA) has made recommendations for the U.S. to address the growing threat of harmful interference by incorporating anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology upgrades in ground systems.
Aviation shows alarming surge in jamming and spoofing incidents
GPS jamming and spoofing pose a significant threat to data-rich flight radar and overall flight safety. In 2024, there was a 500% increase in spoofing incidents compared to 2023. A 2024 report from the GPS Spoofing Workgroup reveals that daily flights experiencing GPS spoofing grew from some 300 in January 2024 to around 1,500 through August 2024. Additionally, some 46,000 aircraft in the Baltic Sea region have experienced signs of jamming between August 2023 and March 2024.
UAVs / drones among recent targets
With GPS reliance on drones on the rise for mission-critical systems, today's availability of cheap jammers pose an insidious threat to UAV applications such as national security, border control, medical supply deliveries and even public safety situations such as firefighting. Protections simply must be in place to ensure precise guidance and control.
Marine incidents on the rise
From military operations to shipping cargo and piracy threats, jamming and spoofing makes shipping vessels vulnerable to costly or even dangerous predicaments. The weaknesses of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) data have been discussed at the International Maritime Organization level within the subcommittee on navigation, communications and search and rescue.
The same document stated: “AIS position information and MMSI can be easily manipulated and spoofed.” Any service provider that relies on AIS positions will face the same challenges with regards to manipulation and disruption, which can result in missed port calls.
Even faulty RF equipment can cause the power to leak into protected GNSS bands — sending boats and ships off course and even affecting other vessels operating up to 2000 feet away.
Rail systems suffer from GPS attacks
Today’s train control systems are another transportation application ripe for jamming or spoofing, based on its inherent reliance on accurate GPS positioning signals and data. Current 2025 research points to multi-sensor “fusion” technology with tight coupling as the best remedy against spoofers, which can be placed either on trains themselves or in close proximity to them — posing catastrophic risks.
Autonomous systems and vehicles at risk
With their heavy reliance upon GNSS data to navigate and make decisions in real time, vehicles with autonomous capabilities are ripe for jamming or spoofing. Malicious jamming or spoofing disruptions can cause a vehicle to veer off course, stop unexpectedly, fail to maintain lane position or recognize traffic signals. By feeding a vehicle false data, spoofing can be used to trigger collisions with obstacles, other vehicles, work crews and pedestrians.
Worldwide jamming threats call for vetted solutions
Mounting concerns over malicious GPS disruptions are rapidly becoming a worldwide threat. In response, the international navigation community created Jammertest, the world’s largest open-air GNSS jamming and spoofing exercise. What began in 2022 soon evolved into an annual event attracting global organizations across industries, including Trimble. Participants gather to test their GNSS systems against the rigors of jamming and spoofing attacks in a secluded region of Norway, ensuring their GPS technology works as intended.
Trimble participating at the 2025 Jammertest in Norway. Engineers set up equipment to evaluate their GNSS technology’s resilience against jamming and spoofing disruptions.
Trimble has also participated in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate in order to develop and test GNSS technology resilience. Data gathered and lessons learned from these real-world tests are used to refine and strengthen our mitigation algorithms to provide reliable, uninterrupted high-precision positioning — even when targeted.
Advanced, multi-layered GPS disruption defense is key
Ensuring that GPS or GNSS systems have built-in detection mechanisms like integrity monitoring and supplementary positioning such as inertial technology is mission-critical. Look for technology providers who prioritize this forward-thinking protection by building it into their solutions, and ensuring their protections are effective via real-world testing.
Find out how you can provide the protections to keep your customers’ systems running — and protect their reputations as well as your own — by downloading this eBook outlining the innovative anti-jamming and spoofing technology available from Trimble.
