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International Loran Association September 22, 2001 |
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Dr. Ulrich Klinge Chairman, NELS Steering Committee Bundesministerium fur Verkehr Bau und Wohnungswesen Krausenstrasse 17-20 D-10117 Berlin Germany |
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Dear Dr. Klinge, |
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By now you have probably seen, or heard about, the report of the GPS Vulnerability Study conducted by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center for the US Department of Transportation under a US Presidential directive. The report was released to the public on September 10, 2001 just hours before the appalling terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The study clearly identifies the vulnerability of GPS to indiscriminate interference and terrorist attack that has now been brought home in a tragic and dramatic manner. The reaction has been swift and demanding. |
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GPS, or the planned Galileo, can no longer be regarded as invulnerable. The US Secretary of Transportation has required all agencies responsible for the US transportation infrastructure to identify backup systems and procedures and to report back in under 60 days. In addition, since the Volpe study identifies timing as a critical component of the communications infrastructure an alternative to GPS is required. |
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The service provided by Loran-C in the United States is now seen as the most likely candidate to provide the necessary alternative to ensure a robust transportation and communications infrastructure. For the past four years Loran-C facilities have been upgraded in the US, and the FAA and Coast Guard are currently reevaluating the system to fulfill a national need to protect the critical national infrastructure. This is a Presidential requirement. |
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The US government now views the provision of alternative services an obligation that the federal government must address to assure continuity of service for critical applications during times of national emergency. Such a responsibility lies beyond the purview of the private sector that would not be able to sustain the impact of an assault of the nature we have seen. It is recognized that only the government can create the national confidence essential to maintain economic stability and protection of the general public. |
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It would appear to me that Europe should have the same, or even added concern, since GPS is owned and operated by a foreign power. Europe's geographical proximity to areas of unrest makes jamming of GPS transmissions probable, and, in the event of conflict, purposeful GPS denial by the US is likely as the Volpe study has indicated. For these reasons the NELS European Loran-C system takes on a much more important role than just the provision of a marine navigation service or, as you suggest, a user-pay land service. It now becomes a critical component for European infrastructure for security. Military services that have become accustomed to GPS uninterrupted service, such as the German Navy, will need to address the possibility of temporary or long term GPS unavailability and assess viable alternatives. |
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The Volpe Report clearly identifies terrorism as a major threat to GPS. The coincidence of the appalling illustration of terrorist activity that followed within hours of the Volpe report’s release puts NELS in a position to take a leadership role in Europe to ensure that an alternative service is made available throughout Europe for all modes of transport and the provision of precise time. |
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I would go one step further to suggest that the Loran-C system should come under NATO control, and since the stations could become the target of terrorist activity there should be a military presence at each of the stations. For NATO to take the responsibility for European-wide Loran-C coverage would add little to its budget while providing immense value in the increased assurance of public safety and security for its 19 members and many of its 27 partner countries. |
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You may think my concern and suggestions are extreme, but you should know that just last January in my presentation to the US Institute of Navigation I warned of the impending dangers of terrorism. Unfortunately those fears were well founded; clearly the world has been changed permanently by these horrific events. I remain firmly convinced that we must do everything possible to maintain our transportation and communications infrastructure. The small cost is irrelevant; it is a matter of appreciating the real dangers in today’s world and acting in a wise and a timely manner. |
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As Chairman of the NELS Steering Committee, that has worked so diligently to prepare the European Loran-C system for operational use, I believe you have a duty to Europe; that duty is to ensure the NELS service is now utilized for the overall security needs of Europe. |
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If you need any endorsement of these thoughts, I would suggest that you communicate directly with the US Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta, who has taken the initiative to secure the US against further transportation and communication interruptions. |
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With kind regards, |
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Yours sincerely, |
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John M. Beukers |
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President |
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Enclosure: Map of NATO members and partners; downloaded from the NATO website |
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