GPS & the USA

[Biggles_in_Oz]

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2004121521290001739682&dt=20041215212900&w=APO&coview=


The primary info from the white house for the above article is at
http://www.ostp.gov/html/FactSheetSPACE-BASEDPOSITIONINGNAVIGATIONTIMING.pdf


I'd always known the USA would fiddle with their own GPS during 'difficult' times, but now they've stated that they will fiddle with other space-based navigation systems.

[OzExpat]

The term used these days - and, indeed, since about 2000, when Selective Availability was discontinued - is Selective Denial. This is not new and was, I understand, implemented in and around Iraq for a time. Perhaps the subparagraphs that of are most relevant to aviation in general are the following :-
Develop, acquire, operate, and maintain Global Positioning System space or terrestrial augmentations for civil transportation applications;
and
In cooperation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, develop and provide to the Secretary of Transportation requirements for use of the Global Positioning System and its augmentations to support civil space systems;
and
In cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and other Departments and Agencies promote the use of civil aspects of the Global Positioning System and its augmentation services and standards with foreign governments and other international organizations;
and
The Secretary of State shall, as appropriate, notify and/or coordinate the notification of foreign governments and international organizations in cases of interference with U.S. space-based positioning, navigation, and timing services caused by foreign government or commercial activities.
I really don't think it's "doom and gloom" time for civil aviation just yet.