All 2 entries tagged News

Windows Naval Destroyer Edition

In 2007 the first of a set of six new Naval Destroyers, the type 45 – whose task is to defend against air strikes – will enter service. Ok, given that the MOD aren't so good at hitting deadlines, it might be a few years later that the HMS Daring finally enters service.

It might not be the only thing that it has problems hitting, mind you. For reasons best known only to the MOD - 'keeping costs down by using commercially available solutions where possible' apparently – the combat systems on these destroyers are going to be built atop Microsoft Windows 2000. Let's hope they restrain themselves, or we may find Mr Paperclip playing a key role in the defence of the realm.

If this "works" (which I assume will be determined using some measure involving us not hitting as many of our own people as our American allies seem to) then there are plans to deploy the same combat system on our nuclear submarine fleet. Now that is scary. Frankly, I wouldn't trust them to be able to hit the right country, let alone the right target.

[ from Channel 4 News ; there is an older article with more detail on The Register ]

: 10 Oct 2004 18:31 |  Tags: News |  Comments (17) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Ken Bigley Killed

Writing about web page http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3727344.stm

The BBC have been reporting since about 4:30pm the news that Ken Bigley had possibly been killed by his captors in Iraq. Sky News & News 24 have both just aired a statement from one of his brothers that they've seen absolute proof that he's been executed.

: 08 Oct 2004 17:39 |  Tags: News |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem