BBC reported that a Ryanair flight from London to Vilnius, Lithuania, had to abort its descent due to unexplained interference with its GPS system. The Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 was forced to divert to Warsaw, Poland, after descending to 850ft (259m) and experiencing GPS signal interference. This incident is part of a larger trend, with over 800 cases of GPS interference recorded in Lithuanian airspace in the last three months of 2024. Estonia and Finland have also raised concerns about Russian interference with GPS signals. The potential cost of losing GPS is estimated at £1.4bn per day, making it a significant threat.
In response to the increasing threat of GPS jamming, a group of British scientists, known as the “Time Lords,” is working to develop a more secure alternative to GPS using atomic clocks. This new technology aims to provide a reliable navigation system that cannot be easily jammed. The UK government has initiated research efforts to address the GPS jamming threat, but the development of these new devices is a complex and urgent task.
The development of a portable alternative to GPS using quantum technologies holds promise for the future of navigation and time measurement. Prof Douglas Paul of the UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position Navigation and Timing (QEPNT) anticipates that a new navigation system could be available in the marketplace within the next two to five years. The collaboration between quantum scientists and researchers at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is crucial in advancing this technology and addressing the challenges posed by GPS jamming. The scientists are working on developing a new type of atomic clock that can be miniaturized and durable enough to function in real-world situations, rather than just in controlled lab conditions. The NPL researchers are working on an optical clock that is 100 times more accurate than current caesium clocks, using laser light instead of microwaves. This technology will eventually replace caesium clocks as the standard for Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), leading to a redefinition of time measurement. The hope is to establish a national network of atomic clocks by 2030, providing secure and accurate timekeeping for businesses and innovative applications. While the transition to this new technology may take time, the benefits are significant, especially considering the potential risks associated with current GPS systems. The UK is at the forefront of this research, with plans to incorporate quantum technology into everyday devices, such as phones, in the future. Despite the challenges, researchers are optimistic about the potential for this groundbreaking technology to revolutionize timekeeping and navigation. Apakah para ilmuwan yang bekerja pada masalah tersebut akan bisa menemukan solusi dengan cukup cepat?
Suatu hari kita mungkin akan memiliki mereka di saku kita, tetapi tujuan yang lebih mendesak adalah untuk mendapatkannya dalam keadaan di mana kita dapat terbang dengan aman, karena insiden gangguan GPS pada pesawat dan sistem komputer kritis meningkat. Para Time Lords dan ilmuwan kuantum berharap dapat melanjutkan warisan pembuat jam yang rendah hati – mengubah pengukuran waktu, dan melindungi sistem kritis Inggris dari serangan GPS.
Kredit gambar utama: Getty Images
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