After the downing of Azerbaijan Airlines' Embraer 190, Russia strengthens security measures against GPS interference
After the shootdown of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight in Aktau, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) published a bulletin with measures to mitigate the risks associated with navigation signal interference caused by electronic warfare systems used to protect strategic infrastructure.
In the past year, Rosaviatsia recorded an increase in reports of failures in aircraft navigation systems and air traffic control systems. These failures are linked to electronic interference affecting signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), used to determine position, route, and time.
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a set of satellite systems that provide signals from space to precisely determine position, speed, and time anywhere on the planet. The main GNSS systems include GPS (United States), Galileo (European Union), BeiDou (China), and GLONASS, operated by Russia.
GLONASS, developed during the Soviet era, has been modernized in recent decades to provide global coverage with a constellation of 24 operational satellites (compared to 31 for GPS and 30 for Galileo). GLONASS is particularly popular in Russia and neighboring countries due to its high reliability at high latitudes, where some other GNSS systems may have limitations.
Augmentation systems play a key role in enhancing the accuracy, availability, and integrity of GNSS systems, especially in critical applications such as aviation. These systems, such as WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) in the United States, EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System) in Europe, and SDCM (System for Differential Correction and Monitoring) in Russia, use ground stations and additional satellites to correct GNSS signal errors. In Russia, the SDCM complements GLONASS, providing greater accuracy for sectors like civil aviation and ground transportation.
Interference can cause:
- Loss of accuracy in navigation and route deviations.
- False ground collision alarms.
- Errors in speed and wind readings.
- Difficulties in performing landing approaches and programmed trajectory flights.
Although aircraft have alternative systems, such as inertial navigation and ground-based support, the absence of reliable GNSS signals can create risky situations.
Rosaviatsia has recommended airlines strengthen pilot training to handle navigation system interference.
This additional training should include specific procedures to address failures in both satellite and ground-based systems. Furthermore, pilots should practice landings using non-precision navigation systems, such as NDB and VOR/DME, to ensure safety in adverse scenarios. Preparation should also cover managing critical failures, such as hydraulic system collapses, which can significantly affect aircraft control.
Selection of airports
Another key measure is the careful evaluation of airports where operations take place. It is recommended to avoid those relying exclusively on GNSS systems for approach maneuvers, particularly in areas where interference is frequent.
Additionally, flight frequency in areas near restricted airspace or where jamming equipment is used should be reduced, thereby lowering risks associated with navigation signal loss.
Equipment monitoring
To mitigate the effects of interference, ensuring the functionality of the minimum required systems in affected areas is essential. This includes constant equipment verification and immediate reporting of failures to air traffic controllers, who must provide assistance if there are any navigation doubts. Effective communication between pilots and controllers is crucial to maintaining operational safety at all times.
Responsibilities of air traffic control personnel
The agency also instructed air traffic controllers to:
- Assist flight crews in GNSS interference zones.
- Continuously monitor the position of aircraft.
- Immediately inform pilots about route deviations or detected problems.
Directors of air traffic control units must quickly relay any information about the use of electronic interference systems.
Comentarios
Para comentar, debés estar registrado
Por favor, iniciá sesión