GPS Tracking Promotes Military Efficiency

Last month, South Korea announced their plans for two United States companies to build GPS-guided air-to-ground bombs. Boeing will be producing the wings for the bombs and Kaman Aerospace Corporation will be making the explosives and detonators. South Korea hopes that the smart bombs will enable precision attacks both during the day and at night against North Korean targets. Numerous other countries have incorporated GPS tracking into their military operations, with plans for even more applications in the future.

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GPS Tracking and the U.S. Military

Most people will encounter some sort of GPS tracking-enabled device every day, whether it’s a cell phone, computer, car, or GPS watch. Many don’t realize, however, that the GPS tracking was not originally intended for commercial use. Instead, it was designed by the military to aid various operations with its precise location and navigation capabilities. Some of the ways GPS tracking is currently used by the U.S. military include:

• Ground troops—Ground soldiers carry GPS tracking devices to help commanders monitor their movements in a combat situation.


• Vehicle and aircraft tracking—Most of the vehicles used in combat are equipped with tracking devices in order to keep better tabs on their whereabouts in a war zone.


• Naval warships—Ships also carry GPS tracking devices so commanders and generals can keep track of the various ships in the water during combat and transit.


• Military intelligence—GPS tracking allows military intelligence to make better tactical decisions based on real time information.


• Precision bombing—GPS-guided bombs can target specific locations even at night, making air strikes more efficient and better-controlled.

How Other Countries Have Used GPS Tracking

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations all use GPS tracking devices in their military operations. They use them to track vehicles, ships, and aircraft as well as to deliver critical intelligence information. In addition, the Israeli Army has considered embedding the units into their soldiers’ uniforms. The units would not only provide real-time location information, but would also help protect soldiers from friendly fire.

Making GPS Technology Even Better

Both military and commercial receivers rely on the signals transmitted by 24 GPS satellites every day. However, the current satellite signal strength is sometimes too weak and can be overpowered by interference. In order to develop a more reliable system, the Department of Defense plans to launch 40 more satellites with stronger signal capabilities beginning in 2014. The satellites will be launched in three phases:

Phase One	8 GPS IIIA satellites will be launched beginning in 2014. Their signals will be three times stronger than those of the current GPS satellites.
Phase Two	16 GPS IIIB satellites with signals five times stronger than the current satellites will be launched.
Phase Three	8 GPS IIIC satellites will be launched. Their signals will be the same strength as the IIIB satellites; however, they will be equipped with a spotbeam that can focus the signals over a 600-mile radius, increasing their strength to 100 times the strength of the current satellites. The DoD will most likely need to purchase 8 additional satellites after the initial 8 in order to use the full capabilities of IIIC.

For military operations, this means that signals will be able to withstand jamming attempts much more easily. It also means that receivers will be able to determine a position accurately within three feet following the launch of GPS IIIA and to within 6 inches following the implementation of GPS IIIC. Currently, satellite signals can produce accurate results within 10 feet.

Will Civilians Benefit as Well?

The first question many civilians may be asking is “Will my cell phone GPS tracking device be stronger and more accurate now?” It’s a legitimate question, since civilian applications use the same satellites that the military uses. The short answer is both yes and no.

The Department of Defense anticipates that both military and civilian receivers will benefit from the increased accuracy of the new GPS satellites. Civilians will not benefit from the increased signal strength or interference capabilities, but most civilians won’t be facing interference problems in their day-to-day functioning. GPS tracking for civilians has been a superb benefit of one of the military’s most innovative applications.

What the New Technology Means for South Korea

Applications like the GPS-guided bombs South Korea plans to build will benefit greatly from the new satellite system. In combat situations, stronger signals within the spotbeam of the IIIC satellites mean that a 10-watt jamming device would need to be within a two-mile vicinity rather than the current 55-mile vicinity. In addition, the more precise location determinations will help designate targets more accurately, reducing the possibility of error. Clearly, the new satellites will create greater accuracy and capability for military GPS tracking applications.

Although the full implementation of GPS III won’t be completed until 2030, the Department of Defense expects the benefits to be well worth the wait. It will be interesting to see what new innovations will be possible with the increased location accuracy and stronger signals made possible with GPS III.

GPS Tracking Promotes Military Efficiency