New £1.2M 'Quantum Leap' to stop hackers jamming your GPS

We have all been there—staring at a "searching for signal" spinner on our phones while trying to navigate a busy city. It is annoying for a commute, but for the UK's power grids and emergency services, a lost satellite signal is a total disaster.

Currently, we rely on satellites that are surprisingly easy for bad actors to jam or "spoof" with fake data. But brilliant boffins in Glasgow are building a secret weapon to keep us moving even if the satellites go dark.

The satellite-free future

The QEPNT Hub is leading the charge to create next-generation navigation that does not need a single satellite in space. This "Quantum Leap" is backed by a fresh £1.2 million injection from the government.

It is part of a much bigger £13.8 million package spread across the UK's top research hubs. Total government investment in this futuristic tech is set to reach a staggering £2 billion.

Professor David Cumming, Director of QEPNT, said: "Quantum timing technologies are being developed by the Hub to create alternatives to Global Navigation Satellite Systems which are vulnerable to jamming."

Securing the "Invisible" Infrastructure

This is about much more than just finding the nearest Greggs on your map. These quantum clocks and sensors are vital for the "invisible" things that keep the country running.

We are talking about electricity grids, telecommunications, and even your bank transactions. Without ultra-precise timing, our modern world would simply grind to a halt.

A United Kingdom of Science

The project is a massive team effort involving experts from Glasgow, Bristol, Cambridge, and Imperial College London. They are working with industry partners to make sure this tech gets out of the lab and into the real world.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and the Chancellor announced the funding today to ensure Britain stays a world leader in innovation. It is an investment in healthcare, clean energy, and national security.

Professor Cumming added: "We are delighted to receive funding to progress the translation of our technology to benefit the UK economy and infrastructure."

By creating a UK-based supply chain, we will not have to rely on other countries for our most sensitive tech. It is a bold move that keeps our transport networks and financial systems safe from hackers for decades to come.

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OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from University Newsroom. Document: QEPNT wins £1.2M funding boost as part of UK’s ‘Quantum Leap’ for Quantum Tech Source Link: https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_1254527_en.html