LORAN - Shut down 08-Feb-2010

[a2capt]

The U.S. Coast Guard shut down 19 of 24 LORAN-C stations at 2000Z yesterday.


The end of another era.


There's a steady following thats pushing for keeping it as a backup to GPS which is vulnerable they claim, and using the excuse that with LORAN co-existing that it made GPS less of a target because we had an alternate and LORAN uses stronger signals, less susceptible to jamming.


While GPS is consistent world wide, LORAN-C is several systems run by various countries that for the most part, are compatible. The system currently shut down consists of the vast majority of the U.S. based LORAN-C system that affects mostly aviation users at this point. 5 stations are remaining due to existing treaties with Russia and Canada and will be active until June giving them time to properly notify those countries that these stations are being shut down.


Essentially, Monday's shutdown was just "turning down the volume". Pending any outcome, next Monday at 2000Z the plug will be pulled. They can come back online if needed due to whatever in the next week. Like if a reversal of decision is made, it's found to heavily effect others, etc.

[MikeD]

Our high dependence on GPS does bother me a lot, particularly since NextGen appears to call for using it for precision landing and getting rid of ILS.  GPS is really really easy to jam, and there's also a spoofing threat.