NATO has tested a new prototype sensor, the GANDALF-4, to counter Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) threats and strengthen situational awareness.
NATO’s Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has developed the GANDALF system to detect, classify, and locate deliberate disruptions to GNSS signals.
“These threats, known as GNSS jamming and spoofing, are becoming more common and sophisticated, posing a real threat to NATO’s operational readiness and resilience,” NATO stated.
“GANDALF-4 represents a proactive and innovative approach to developing situational awareness in contested spectrum environments,” it added.
The latest round of testing focused on the performance of the GANDALF-4 antenna array.
It was tested in an anechoic chamber, in a NATO Support and Procurement Agency specialized facility designed to block external electromagnetic signals, allowing precise and interference-free testing of antennas and sensors.
The setup enabled precise calibration and evaluation of the sensor’s accuracy and reliability.
Testing involved collaboration between NCIA’s Electromagnetic Warfare and Surveillance team and NSPA’s Ground-Based Defence experts.
NATO emphasized that advancing prototyping, testing, and trial preparation to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies demands technical expertise and tight inter-agency cooperation.
Previous Tests
NATO forces are continually seeking to enhance their military equipment in electromagnetic warfare environments.
In 2023, NATO experts participated in the Austrian Navigation Warfare trial organized by the Austrian Ministry of Defence.
The trial allowed participants to deploy jammers and test intentional interference with terrestrial GNSS receivers and sensors.
As part of the trial, NATO’s Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Centre deployed and tested advanced GNSS jamming technologies, including the first field test of the GANDALF 3 system.
