British Scientists Race Against Time to Combat GPS Jamming Threat

Thu Jun 25 2026 17:36:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A group of UK researchers, dubbed the "Time Lords," is developing alternative navigation technologies to mitigate the rising risks of GPS jamming affecting aviation and critical infrastructure.

Following multiple incidents of GPS interference, particularly near NATO territories, UK scientists are innovating alternatives to GPS using advanced atomic clocks. The urgency stems from concerns about the reliability of GPS systems amid potential jamming, prompting efforts to create miniaturized technology for everyday use.

On January 17, a Ryanair flight from London was forced to divert to Warsaw just moments before landing in Vilnius, Lithuania, due to GPS signal interference. This incident is emblematic of a troubling trend, as over 800 occurrences of GPS jamming were reported in Lithuanian airspace alone in late 2024. Estonia and Finland have also raised alarm, speculating that Russia may be responsible for the disruptions, which the Kremlin denies. The ramifications of GPS jamming extend far beyond aviation, with a 2017 report indicating that the UK's financial and communication systems could be pushed to a standstill without GPS.

GPS relies on signals from multiple satellites to establish precise locations, facilitated by atomic clocks that communicate with these satellites. Accurate timekeeping is critical for various sectors, including telecommunications and energy. The potential economic fallout from losing GPS functionality is staggering, with estimates of £1.4 billion in losses daily. As a result, the UK government has included GPS jamming on its national risk register, highlighting the serious threat it poses.

To address this issue, a cadre of British scientists — nicknamed the "Time Lords" — has been tasked with developing a more secure and portable alternative to GPS, leveraging the power of atomic clocks instead of relying solely on satellite signals. While the plan is simple, the execution poses significant challenges. Transforming atomic clocks into user-friendly devices that can withstand everyday usage while maintaining accuracy is paramount.

The current research aims to redefine timekeeping, much like John Harrison's 18th-century marine clock revolutionized navigation. The UK is investing in quantum technology to develop portable navigation systems, with expectations of bringing these advancements to market within the next couple of years. Researchers are focusing on optical clocks, which could eventually offer an alternative to GPS while being compact and accessible.

Relying on technologies such as cooled atoms, researchers are paving the way for navigation solutions immune to jamming and interference, which are already being tested in controlled environments. Military applications are advancing, but the drive is to adapt these innovations for civilian use as well, ultimately aiming for personal navigation solutions that integrate atomic clocks and gyroscopes into smartphones.

Despite the exciting potential, progress remains arduous. Developments in quantum technology, combined with the lessons learned from historical navigation challenges, could shape the future of reliable positioning systems. The quest continues for the "Time Lords” to protect critical infrastructure and provide new methods of precise timekeeping that can be safely utilized in modern navigational systems.