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>The government may have the capability to degrade the system not just
to 300 feet but maybe to 1000 feet and do so only during the time a
missile(s) were enroute.
One other thing to keep in mind---- not all missiles use or need GPS.
The Boeing ALCM (Air Launched Cruise Missile) used by the Air Force
requires no external signal to fly to and hit its target. Instead, the
guidance system has pre-loaded, three-dimensional "maps" which it
follows using inertial navigation and "other" means to get to its
target. The ALCM can fly to its target without emitting or receiving
any signals whatsoever. This was done precisely for the reason we're
talking about-- the possibility that an external navigation signal could
be compromised, jammed, or switched off entirely. I have no idea if
there are other missiles in the US inventory that work the same way, but
I wouldn't be surprised if there are. The Navy's Tomahawk missile may
be able to get itself to the target without having to rely on external
navigation signals since it was designed about the same time as the ALCM
to more or less the same mission requirements. There are some bombs
that use GPS in their guidance systems, but there are others that use
lasers and require no externally transmitted navigation signals to home
in on their target.
So if we can get to and hit things accurately without the need for GPS,
I would think the folks in China, Russia, Korea, Iran, Israel, and
wherever else they have developed missile-based delivery systems would
be able to do the same thing. So we may be at a point where skewing GPS
isn't really much of a deterrent anymore because while it might affect
the accuracy of some weapons, it won't affect the accuracy of all of
them.
______________________________
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, Washington
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