GPS jamming threats have increased in recent years, so much so that the United States Government has been looking into alternative methods of ensuring that navigational technology can’t be competely disrupted. The most common solution to the GPS jamming threat has been to simply develop a backup system. And that backup system would be eLoran.

We’ve talked about eLoran a few times before, and the United States Department of Transportation recently put out a call for citizens to comment on the possible use of it as a backup system (or to offer suggestions for other backups). The commenting period has concluded and it seems that there must have been some pretty positive responses because the United States Deapartment of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard recently entered into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with Exelis and UrsaNav to test out the viability of eLoran as a backup. read more

GPS drone (UAS) with GoPro camera; Creative Commons image courtesy Don McCullough

Drones are absolutely taking off in popularity and public appeal (pardon the pun). In the wake of the FAA finally releasing rules and regulations for drone use, it seems like the whole world has suddenly become drone-crazy. But, with companies like Amazon promising that drone deliveries are just around the corner, researchers are looking fore newer and better ways for drones to get around in cities where GPS isn’t always super reliable. read more