[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] If a 'Korean GPS' Is Installed on Missiles

The seven models are also equipped with SAASM (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module). SAASM is a military-grade upgraded GPS receiver that recognizes jamming signals and applies technology to overcome them.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] GPS (Global Positioning System) refers to the satellite navigation system used by the general public through mobile phones, navigation devices, and more. However, to be precise, it is a satellite navigation system created by the United States. The U.S. developed GPS in the 1960s and 1970s for military purposes such as missile guidance and opened it to the public in the 1980s. Since then, GPS has become the foundation for location-based services provided by smartphone apps, including car navigation systems. Subsequently, GPS became a generic term.

Besides the United States, five countries currently possess independent satellite navigation systems: Russia, the European Union (EU), China, India, and Japan. These countries build their own satellite navigation systems because relying on the U.S.-created GPS could lead to disadvantages. For example, in 1999, when Pakistan and India were engaged in a territorial dispute, the U.S. either denied GPS access to India or significantly increased the margin of error. Consequently, Russia completed GLONASS in 1995, the EU plans to complete Galileo by 2025, China completed BeiDou in 2020, Japan completed QZSS in 2023, and India developed NavIC in 2018 (service not yet launched), all for use in specific regions or planned usage.

China’s satellite navigation system development began in 1994. The BeiDou system operates with a total of 44 satellites and its precision rivals that of the U.S. GPS. This means China can operate its navigation system independently without relying on the U.S. GPS. The more satellites there are, the higher the accuracy. With three satellites, latitude and longitude can be determined on Earth, and with four satellites, altitude can also be measured. Satellite signals cannot pass through buildings or mountains, so having more satellites increases accuracy and reliability.

South Korea also plans to develop its own Korean Positioning System (KPS). Although GPS use was permitted in Korea following the 1983 KAL plane shootdown incident, an independent system is necessary. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is leading the project with a goal to complete development by 2035. The motivation for developing KPS lies in its potential applications in delivery drones, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and other emerging technologies. The economic ripple effect is expected to be approximately 12.692 trillion KRW.

Private companies are also heavily involved. In March, LIG Nex1, a domestic defense company, represented Korea’s New Space companies at the ‘Space Strategy Report Meeting’ held at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, attended by President Moon Jae-in. LIG Nex1 plans to leverage satellite payload and navigation equipment technologies acquired through participation in the KPS project to enhance its core businesses and diversify its operations.

KPS is also valuable for military purposes. The current margin of error for civilian GPS is about 17 to 37 meters, but military GPS has an error margin of less than 1 meter. This explains why cruise missiles can accurately hit targets hundreds of kilometers away with minimal deviation. For KPS, the government plans to launch a total of eight satellites?three geostationary satellites and five inclined orbit satellites?positioned near the Korean Peninsula. These satellites will provide continuous service as they pass over Korea in a figure-eight pattern. The first satellite launch and pilot service are scheduled for next year, with full development completion planned for 2035. Especially when centimeter-level service is provided, ultra-precise location services with about 10 cm accuracy will be available.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.