GPS On Verge Of Break Down, Report Finds

GAO Says Air Force Has Not Properly Maintained Navigation Systems

(CBS)  Don't throw out your map and compass just yet.

U.S. officials are concerned that Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are on the verge of breaking down as soon as 2010, they tell The Guardian.

Blackouts, failures and even inaccurate directions are possible, the officials say.

The U.S. Air Force has maintained GPS satellites for the past decade, but according to a Government Accounting Office report, a lack of investment could lead to a deterioration of the navigation system, The Guardian reports.

"It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption," the report says. "If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected."

To read the full article, click here.

[Scimajor]

I agree. This smells of fear mongering in an attempt to artificially elevate funding.

[au_fait]

Why should our government pay to keep this system up. How many private companies profit from the use of this system. Let them ante up some money.

[kaiyo4u]

Posted by DefendLiberty at 1:02 PM : May 19, 2009

What the FAA is phasing out is the NDB nav aids The TACANs and VORs will still be there to use by the military and civilians respectively.

You can be sure that if the military needs more bandwidth from the satellite to cover their needs, the civilians will suffer.

[barbaram99]

GPS yer talking about a system that is a life saver and most cell phones have it. The voice that the systems use is MS Anna. The taxis uses it. I was taking a taxi and heard the GPS device talk. I know that voice. Anna is on Vista. That is the reason I went to Vista. I will get back on the GPS as i walk. It would be a handy thing to carry. Most don't care for things that talk.
Sun spots do mess with it as well. I can't see to read a map. I use land marks.

[38654ob]

Another silly, scare mongering article. The GPS system is healthy and replacement satellites are being built and launched on a regular basis with at least one or two each year. The satellites have a 15 year lifespan and 24 are needed for complete world coverage.

I wish authors of these articles would get their facts straight.

[beals1978]

I still carry a map which I've used so much it's falling to pieces. I now a have a Garmin which is nice but sometimes i pull the map out just to see which way I'll be going. GPS is worth having.I'm sorry I've waited so long to get it.

[ToolMangler1]

All we need is a huge solar storm or meteor shower to put the kibosh on the whole GPS network and evey plane will go down in the Bermuda Triangle. (any takers?)

[DefendLiberty]

Better yet- The FAA is shutting down the "old fashioned" navigation systems for passenger aircraft and switching to GPS based systems. What fun it will become to fly when the GPS becomes "unreliable"! At best we will have the adventure of wondering in which city we will actually land. At worst....

[Oregon_State_OSU]

How Tramatic if the GPS system breaks down.

Soccer Moms and ReeTards will have to get directions to the local grocery store and not have that little voice to tell them when to turn while they are not paying attention to the road texting and chatting on their phone.

Its going to be Hell Fire and Brim Stone if Soccer Moms have to get directions in their Range Rovers.

[Hermit1948]

The loss of the GPS network has global implications. To USAF: Get busy!

[I_am_me1953]

Guess it is back to the old days and ways. Get out my compass and mapquest. Sure am glad I didn't invest my good $$ in one of those silly things sitting in my window for someone to steal.

[afmcalax]

Exactly where does the military spends the hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars they get per year from the taxpayers? Long ago we should have demanded accountability and, if not forthcoming, military careers should have been ended in forced retirement. It seems like the more money sunk into the military the less the citizens and the soldiers get out.