JAMFEST, A Cost Effective Solution to GPS Vulnerability Testing

Eric Lagier, Desiree Craig and Paul Benshoof

Abstract:	From May 24-28, 2004, the 746th Test Squadron, located at Holloman Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico (NM), planned and executed an innovative Global Positioning System (GPS) jamming program at White Sands Missile Range, NM. This program, known as JAMFEST, was aimed at providing low to no cost, realistic, GPS jamming scenarios for testing GPS-based navigation systems, as well as, training personnel in unique GPS denied environments. Through sponsorship from the GPS Joint Program Office, White Sands Missile Range, and the 46th Test Group, the 746th Test Squadron was able to provide this opportunity at a significantly reduced cost to each participant. During JAMFEST, the 746th Test Squadron hosted twelve simultaneous, yet very diverse customers, including multi-service Department of Defense (DoD) organizations, several defense contractors, and civil organizations. Their objectives ranged from training personnel on the effects of GPS jamming to characterizing the performance of prototype advanced anti-jam technologies against operationally realistic threats. To accomplish these goals, participants drove, flew, or walked through 59 jamming scenarios specifically tailored to stress the systems under evaluation. These tests would have cost a total of $660,000 or more if conducted separately. However, JAMFEST achieved the same objectives for approximately $85,000 in available funds coupled with discounted or donated services totaling $175,000. This paper details overall test and participant objectives, strategies, conduct, and addresses future JAMFEST activities.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2005 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 24 - 26, 2005 The Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	205 - 210
Cite this article:	Lagier, Eric, Craig, Desiree, Benshoof, Paul, "JAMFEST, A Cost Effective Solution to GPS Vulnerability Testing," Proceedings of the 2005 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 2005, pp. 205-210.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In