For several months now, satellite geolocation signals [GNSS] are severely disrupted in the Baltic region, affecting maritime navigation and air traffic. Given that they have advanced electronic warfare capabilities, such as the Krasukha-S4 and Tobol systems, in the surrounding areas, notably in Kaliningrad, Russian forces are obviously suspected of being behind this interference.
There are two techniques for rendering a satellite navigation system inoperable: jamming, which simply aims to prevent signals from being received by an aircraft or ship, and “spoofing”. [ou « usurpation de signaux »]which consists of sending false data to a receiver.
To protect against these disturbances, one solution is based on the use of a “multi-constellation” satellite geolocation signal receiver. [Galileo ou GPS]. Another is through the application of countermeasures. This is the purpose of the “Black Crown 24” exercise, which the Air & Space Force [AAE] launched on May 27.
Thus, in a notice to airmen [NOTAM – NOtice To AirMen] mentioned by the French Free Flight Federation [FFVL]it is specified that, “during the Black Crow 24 exercise, the AAE will carry out effective GNSS jamming, with large-scale equipment from potentially several sites”.
“The objective of this exercise is to train crews for ground support missions in an electromagnetic environment disrupted by GPS jamming. GNSS jamming will be effective for the entire financial year, from May 27 to June 7,” the document further indicates.
GNSS signals will only be disrupted for 2 to 3 hours per day, in a circle centered on Puy de Dôme, within a radius of 320 km at level 150 [15000 pieds] and 160 km at 4000 feet.
“Two NOTAM [un par semaine] will be written by the AAE. An impact on GNSS procedures is possible depending on your location in relation to the interference,” specifies the FFVL.
Please note that this AAE exercise was not the subject of a SupAIP [Information Aéronautique Permanente] issued by the Aeronautics Information Service [SIA]. “It is assumed that Black Crow 24 must have been prepared only the day before… The Directorate of Civil Aviation Safety [DSAC] did not notify anyone via the Meteor system. The other federations have not issued any information on the subject, perhaps they were not warned…”, wondered the specialized site aeroVFR. On the other hand, a NOTAM [n° F0795/24] has been broadcast to warn of the risk of disruption of GPS signals.
Photo: FFVL
