eLoran: An International Perspective

Sir Jeremy de HalpertExecutive Chairman, Trinity House, UK

Dr Sally BaskerGeneral Lighthouse Authorities of the UK and Ireland

Prepared for the US National Space-Based PNT Executive Committee Advisory Board, Washington DC, 14 May 2009

Contents

Background

Policy Perspective

Commercial Perspective

Risk Perspective

Conclusions

3

The General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland

The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) have the statutory responsibility for the provision of marine aids to navigation (AtoNs) around the coasts of the UK and Ireland

The GLAs operate in a user-pays cost-recovery environment

The GLAs shared mission is the delivery of a reliable, efficient and cost effective AtoN service for the benefit and safety of all mariners

5

Why eLoran?

Over-reliance on GPS in the maritime sector is increasing with reversionary skills disappearing

The GLAs’ requirement is for an independent, dissimilar, multi-modal, interoperable complement to GPS available during long-term GPS service outages over wide areas

eLoran is the only credible and cost-effective option that can be declared operational in a timely fashion

Necessary preparation for e-Navigation

6

The UK eLoran station

De-manned

Contractor operated with 15-year contract- Replacement transmitter scheduled

Already providing real-time DGPS, DLoran & UTC

7

Existing Loran & Chayka stations are well-placed for maritime operations

Loran (Red), Chayka (Green), World’s 50 Busiest Cargo Ports (Blue)

8

Policy Perspective

Date Statement / Activity Pro Loran?2007 Federal Register Notice on Loran

Oct 2007 Independent Assessment Team’s eLoran Study

Feb 2008 DHS Press Release starting implementation of eLoran

25 Feb 2009 2008 Federal Radionavigation Plan

26 Feb 2009 OMB announced intention to decommission Loran-C !?

Radionavigation services are and will continue to be vital to the World’s safety, security and economic well-being

The US is the dominant player and any statements made are treated at face value and with the utmost importance

The FRP is held in high esteem because it is the basis of the confidence that has led to the deployment of GPS in much of the World’s critical infrastructure

9

Commercial Perspective:- Supply & Demand

Supply- Public sector, companies and venture capitalists have provided capital- New transmitters, receivers, and system elements

Demand for Robust PNT based on awareness of GNSS vulnerability- Telecommunications, General aviation, land mobile- Maritime professional, recreational as well as search and rescue- Defence, homeland security, law enforcement

The Benefit of a Positive, Stable Policy Environment

The February 2008 US DHS announcement proved what had always been expected: a positive policy statement would stimulate the supply and demand for eLoran

10

Commercial Perspective:- Lost-opportunity cost

GPS has led, rightly, to the decommissioning of almost all radionavigation systems that can provide PNT

The strategic value of an independent, cross-sector, dissimilar, interoperable radionavigation system providing robust PNT increases every time another system is decommissioned or a GPS jamming event occurs

Consequently, the lost opportunity cost of decommissioningLoran-C and not transitioning to eLoran is likely to increase exponentially year-on-year

• 1.5W GPS Jammer

Risk Perspective:- GPS denial

12

Risk Perspective:- Reversion following loss

GPS-related industrial and user benefits include manning efficiency savings from system integration and automation- Reliance on new concept of operations- Benefits are economic and, in some cases, safety and security

Reversion to previous concept of operations almost impossible- Need to recognise when reversion required- Need for more and better skilled people who are trained and practice

Example: Marine navigation

13

Conclusions

Transition to eLoran- Welcomed worldwide- Funding availability, industry will respond, users will equip- eLoran is comparable to GPS and capable of satisfying the demand for

robust PNT from land, sea, air and telecoms markets- Retro-fitting opportunity will stimulate creativity, innovation and sales- Potential cost-savings from rationalising other backup systems- The US is well-placed to realise a return on its investment

Any other decision is the same as termination

14

Necessary steps for establishing a successful eLoran service

Positive, stable policy statement with long-term commitment

Realistic plan with commitment to delivery

Continuity of funding guaranteed

Continuity of service demonstrated to build confidence

Open, published performance specification

Open, published signal-in-space interface control document

These are generic. They are as true for eLoran as they are for GPS or Galileo