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GPS interference risks

Tsun

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Joined
Dec 8, 2018
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38
Hi everyone,
I live in an area with warnings of possible GPS interference. I don't think situation is very serious, as the warnings have been ongoing for at least a few months, and I haven't seen any issues with navigation on my phone or heard about such from any of my friends, but I'm wondering what risks they may pose to a DJI drones. I understand that if GPS signal is lost mid air automatic RTH very likely won't work, but could the interference cause drone to crash or fly away in a random direction, or would I be able to bring it back manually? I have a Mavic 4 Pro with RC2 controller in case it's relevant.
 
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I understand that if GPS signal is lost mid air automatic RTH very likely won't work, but could the interference cause drone to crash or fly away in a random direction, or would I be able to bring it back manually?
If GPS is lost, your drone won't crash or fly off.
It would still be completely controllable, but won't have horizontal position holding ability.
It will hold altitude, but can drift with wind and it won't have any "brakes".

If you encounter GPS spoofing, that is quite different.
That transmits false GPS location data and there are cases of drones flying off because they suddenly think they are hundreds of miles from the home point.
Maps of areas where GPS jamming is happening are available.
Here's one GPSJAM GPS/GNSS Interference Map
 
I think outside of Ukraine, it's mostly GPS jamming going on, not spoofing, right? ATC warnings for my area only talk about 'interference'.
Also, if drone thinks it's very far away from home, why would it fly away? I get it could try to initiate RTH/landing if battery level is considered insufficient, but it still should be controllable.
 

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