06-11-2008, 04:15 AM
[quote mattkime]>>Some of our combat systems really ARE in need of updating - 70s technology that's just creaking along.
Please describe. It seems that our current military challenges have NOTHING to do with technology.
Well - without getting too much into details that could get me into trouble, let's use an analogy.
What would your reaction be if you were to walk into any corporate office and found computers designed 30 years ago running things, with the programs being used written, at best, 20 years ago? The programs have had bug fixes since then, but are essentially unchanged since Ronald Reagan (or in some cases Jimmy Carter) were President?
These aren't just some administrative, bookkeeping type computers. They are used in Combat Systems - what we give our sailors to fight battles with.
As of late, the things that get money are things that are designed to blow up - because that's the obvious, most visual part of the military that people (i.e. Congress) sees. It's like buying a shell of a racecar, and having a gocart engine inside. It looks nice and flashy to people who don't know better, but the person who has to drive it will know what's missing.
Please describe. It seems that our current military challenges have NOTHING to do with technology.
Well - without getting too much into details that could get me into trouble, let's use an analogy.
What would your reaction be if you were to walk into any corporate office and found computers designed 30 years ago running things, with the programs being used written, at best, 20 years ago? The programs have had bug fixes since then, but are essentially unchanged since Ronald Reagan (or in some cases Jimmy Carter) were President?
These aren't just some administrative, bookkeeping type computers. They are used in Combat Systems - what we give our sailors to fight battles with.
As of late, the things that get money are things that are designed to blow up - because that's the obvious, most visual part of the military that people (i.e. Congress) sees. It's like buying a shell of a racecar, and having a gocart engine inside. It looks nice and flashy to people who don't know better, but the person who has to drive it will know what's missing.