GPS and GLONASS are satellite navigation systems; ERA-GLONASS is not. It is a Russian emergency-response and telematics platform that can receive information from terminals using satellite positioning. For drones, the distinction is between determining a position and reporting or tracking information—not choosing between two equivalent navigation systems.
What is the difference between ERA-GLONASS and GPS?
GPS is a satellite constellation operated by the United States. GLONASS is a separate satellite navigation system developed and operated by Russia. Together with other constellations and augmentation systems, they belong to the broader category of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), as the Federal Aviation Administration explains.
A GNSS receiver calculates its position and time from satellite signals. ERA-GLONASS operates at a different layer: it is a Russian platform for receiving and routing emergency or tracking information. A vehicle terminal can use GPS and/or GLONASS to establish location, then transmit information through communications links to ERA-GLONASS and emergency services.
| Aspect | GPS | GLONASS | ERA-GLONASS |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Satellite navigation constellation | Satellite navigation constellation | Russian emergency-response and telematics platform |
| Main role | Provides satellite signals used to calculate position and time | Provides satellite signals used to calculate position and time | Receives and routes incident or tracking information |
| Technical layer | Satellites and a receiver | Satellites and a receiver | Terminals, communications links, and data exchange |
| Geography | U.S.-operated global service | Russian-operated satellite system | Russian state platform; relevant rules depend on Russian jurisdiction |
Does a drone use GPS or GLONASS?
A drone may use GPS, GLONASS, or more than one GNSS constellation, depending on its receiver and design. These satellite signals can help the aircraft estimate where it is; the availability of a particular constellation is not the same thing as connection to ERA-GLONASS. The supplied sources establish no measured GPS-versus-GLONASS performance comparison for drones.
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The FAA describes basic GPS accuracy as approximately 7 meters, 95% of the time, on or near Earth’s surface. This is a general GPS service figure, not a drone-specific accuracy guarantee. The FAA page lists 31 GPS satellites when accessed in 2026; that count can change.
Is ERA-GLONASS a navigation system?
No. ERA-GLONASS is a platform that can handle location-bearing information, not a satellite constellation that a drone receiver uses to calculate its position. The Russian Ministry of Transport said in 2023 that emergency calls in 85 Russian regions were being automatically passed through ERA-GLONASS to 112 rescue services after integration with all then-active regional 112 systems. That illustrates its role as an information and emergency-response service, rather than as a navigation signal.
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What does the reported Russian drone requirement mean?
A September 30, 2026 TechRadar report says that, from October 1, Russia would reject flight-plan submissions for civilian drones over 250 grams unless the drones were connected to ERA-GLONASS. The report also describes existing remote-identification rules as sending information such as the drone, owner, location, altitude, and route.
This is a Russia-specific report, not a general requirement for drones elsewhere. The exact primary legal instrument, technical standard, exceptions, and implementation status are not established here. Anyone planning a flight in Russia should check current official Russian aviation and legal sources before relying on the report; this is not legal advice.
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Does ERA-GLONASS let authorities remotely stop a drone?
Tracking and data reporting do not by themselves establish remote control. The TechRadar report describes a one-way tracking feed in the rules it reviewed; it does not establish that ERA-GLONASS can issue a command to stop or land a drone. Claims about a remote command function remain unverified.
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