B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 213; Flight Crew Type 12000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
During cruise descent into ELP; we suddenly lost all GPS information on the NAV status FMC page. At least six other air carriers reported the same. ATC explained that military operations in the area were responsible. We never recovered GPS data but were able to continue normally as both IRS platforms were tight and FMS position keeping was steady. Checked NOTAMs and saw nothing about military exercises that could affect GPS signals. Our GPS system never returned. It was completely shut off. The only subsystem that was affected was the terrain database that stopped functioning when the GPS signal was lost. Whatever hit us and the other aircraft in the area was very powerful and serves to illustrate how vulnerable our type of GPS system is to interference. I'm sure these military exercises were classified but the Department Of Defense (DOD) needs to be careful with whatever they were doing; especially if the weather in the area is bad. The FAA needs to consult with DOD on this matter because it affected so many aircraft at once.
B737 Captain reports loss of all GPS information during descent into ELP and indicated that other aircraft were affected also. ATC explained that military operations in the area were responsible.