Eric Colburn, PLS

Defense Department Seeks to Protect GPS Operations

By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service

Professional Land Surveyor News

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2011 – Defense Department officials are raising concerns that a company’s proposed wireless broadband network would cause harmful interference to essential Global Positioning System operations.

LightSquared’s new terrestrial network has the potential to wreak havoc on GPS systems that are vital to the military and used in a host of applications, Teresa Takai, the DOD’s chief information officer, and Air Force Gen. William L. Shelton, commander of Air Force Space Command, told members of the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Strategic Forces yesterday.

“GPS is vital to national security and is relied upon by our servicemen and women for a wide array of capabilities,” Takai said in written testimony.

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