Satellite navigation systems are satellites, ground stations, and user equipment that provide positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information. In aviation, aircraft currently use the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and its aircraft, space, and ground-based augmentation systems (ARAIM, SBAS, GBAS) to enable PNT, enhancing aviation safety, performance, and airspace efficiency. This discipline addresses the modernization and sustainment of GPS, including enabling L5 Signal as the second GPS safety-of-life signal and utilizing Europe’s Galileo constellation in aviation. This discipline works to mitigate spectrum challenges such as GPS interference, jamming, and spoofing, and coordinates new technologies such as 5G that share or affect the aviation spectrum.

Discipline leadership supports the evaluation, integration, and safe use of satellite PNT capabilities in aircraft and air traffic management systems. This support includes collaboration with FAA safety teams, industry, other government agencies, international and domestic standards development organizations, and international aviation authorities to maintain and enable new aviation capabilities, guide modernization efforts, mitigate spectrum threats, inform FAA policy and guidance, and advance aviation safety and efficiency through the effective use of satellite navigation technologies.

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Ken Alexander, Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor
ken.alexander@faa.gov
800 Independence Avenue
Washington, DC 20591