US military GPS jamming caused plane crash in New Mexico, report says

A preliminary report has revealed that US military GPS jamming contributed to a fatal plane crash in New Mexico. Representative Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico has raised concerns about the use of this tactic in his state, and has written to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Transport Secretary Sean Duffy seeking answers. The National Transportation Safety Board's report, released in June, stated that the military conducted GPS jamming tests for the purpose of training, which played a role in the crash of an ambulance plane on its way to transport a patient.

The NTSB report noted that the plane's crew were informed about the military's testing prior to the flight, and that night-time visibility was significantly impacted due to the jamming, making the malfunctioning GPS system more concerning. Vasquez's letter to Hegseth and Duffy also questioned why jamming technology was being tested in the area, and called for the development of regulations to prevent such incidents.

The congressman emphasized the importance of airspace safety for both military and civilian passengers, and urged the authorities to make this issue a top priority. The increasing prevalence of GPS jamming has been a growing concern, especially in light of the current conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. The jamming technique has affected smartphone users throughout the Middle East, sometimes rendering map apps useless, and has also impacted shipping companies.

While several technology companies have developed GPS alternatives, they have yet to become mainstream. Satellite experts have pointed out that the very qualities that make GPS so popular, such as its device agnostic and easy-to-implement nature, also make it vulnerable to jamming.