GPS problems pose security concerns

The most recent upgrade to the GPS ground control segment created an incompatibility issue with a specific type of military GPS receiver used on at least 86 different US weapon systems, some of which cannot be used until the problem is fixed, according to the US Air Force. In current circumstances, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 Selective Availability Anti-SpoofingModule (SAASM) GPS receivers deployed in a variety of weapon systems are having trouble authenticating a new messaging format implemented as part of an upgrade to the GPS Operational Control Segment. The prime contractor for the GPS ground system is Boeing Defense, Space & Security of St. Louis. The only other affected weapon system is the US Navy’s X-47B, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle demonstrator built by Northrop Grumman.