Plane GPS systems are under sustained attack - is the solution a new atomic clock?

The UK government has set up research initiatives to tackle the threat of GPS jamming.

The potential cost of losing GPS has been put at 1.4bn each day.

UK scientists dubbed the "Time Lords " have been asked to come up with a solution to GPS .

They hope to develop a more secure alternative to GPS by enabling the portable use of new atomic clocks, rather than relying on signals from satellites in space.

New type of atomic clock that can be miniaturised and robust enough to work in everyday situations.

Optical clocks are 100 times more accurate than caesium clocks used today .

UK researchers hope to have a national network of atomic clocks by 2030 .

Eventually, critical systems in UK in finance, telecommunications, energy, utilities and national security could switch over.

Time Lords and quantum scientists hope to continue the humble clockmaker's legacy transforming the measurement of time, and protecting the UK 's critical systems from GPS attack.

One day we might have them in our pockets, but the more urgent aim is to get them in a state where we can safely fly, as GPS jamming on planes and critical computer systems increase.