GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack. – Washington Post

January 1, 2026

Written by Editor

Image: Shutterstock

What’s new: A summary/ overview article of GPS’ importance and vulnerability in the Washington Post.

Why its important: The primary challenge to PNT resilience in the U.S. is lack of leadership focus and effort. While “the Post” is not the most popular media outlet for the current administration, it does inform a wide variety of decision makers on both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C.  It is also important that Todd Harrison from the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank was quoted in the article. This may have made it more impactful for those in the current administration.

What else to know:

We were a bit disappointed about two things in the article:

  1. GPS modernization seems like it is portrayed as providing a bit more mitigation than it will.  Though, to give credit where it is due, DOD folks are getting better at not saying or implying that GPS-III will solve the problem.
  2. There’s no discussion of the need for one or more complementary and backup systems.

These kinds of articles have appeared periodically in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The Economist, and even Fox News. They are great general education pieces but have yet to stimulate any significant change in the U.S.

GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack.

Jamming and spoofing are increasing, posing risks to vital networks.

The pilots flying into Denver International Airport could tell something was wrong. In urgent calls to air traffic controllers, they reported that the Global Positioning System they used to navigate was going haywire, forcing them to rely on backup systems for more than a day. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to air traffic in the area.

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