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U.S. Army's Future Combat System Will Run Linux

Posted by timothy on from the projects-always-get-scrapped-and-revised dept.

jkastner writes "In 2001 Boeing was chosen to be the lead system integrator for the Army's Future Combat System. The bumper sticker description of this project is 'see first, understand first, act first and finish decisively,' and while Boeing's official FCS site doesn't have a lot of technical details, but you can find some good information at Global Security. To quote their page, "FCS is envisioned as a networked 'system of systems" that will include robotic reconnaissance vehicles and sensors; tactical mobile robots; mobile command, control and communications platforms; networked fires from futuristic ground and air platforms; and advanced three-dimensional targeting systems operating on land and in the air.' The Phase 2 request for proposals just appeared and the estimated price is $26 billion through fiscal year 2009. The fact that the Army is spending billions of dollars on a project isn't anything new, but a little known fact is that the OS for FCS will be Linux (FAQ 4 here.)"

3 of 435 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Bittersweet news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    AC whines:
    a few hackers will feel a twinge of sadness when they see footage of some people being blown up.
    Boo hoo. Cry me a river.

    Let's roll !

  2. Re:One small step for man... by t0ny · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    well, nobody seems to have a problem with third world dictators using Linux, or with countries that arent exactly friendly to us.

    But somehow, when the people who fight and die to protect the ability of people to live in freedom want to use it, its judged as either bad or ambivalent.

    its disgusting how silly and complacent most people are.

    --

    Manipulate the moderator system! Mod someone as "overrated" today.

  3. conscientious objector by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I object to doing military work and it saddens me greatly that my work on free software will now be used to oppress and kill people.