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US Navy buys Apple as Linux Platform

Posted by michael on from the apples-under-the-sea dept.

Nine Mirrors Turning writes "According to the Register the US Navy has ordered 260 XServe servers running Yellow Dog Linux from Terra Soft Solutions. Terra Soft is the only reseller allowed to resell Apple hardware with a third-party operating system installed. The XServes will be modified by a unnamed third-party and will be running a custom kernel. The XServes are destined for US Navy submarines and will be used for real-time image processing. I do wonder how many will be installed on each sub, though. Are we talking clustering here? I didn't even know the USN was running Linux on front-line ships."

2 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. Trolling the silly responses by coyote4til7 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why not use cheap intel hardware seems like a really strange question in this context. If memory serves, subs run in the 100s of billions of dollars a unit. And the nuclear ones stay down six months at a stretch. No Fed-ex delivery of replacement parts. You can't buy Dells with 28% return rates. "Uhm, Captin, the computer is down again. Can you tell the Admiral that we're going to have to take it off-line again while I trouleshoot." Don't think so.

    The more interesting question is why Apple instead of Sun hardware. Given the XServes were supposedly originally designed to the NIH's specs, it may be that they're the most cost-effective answer to the problem.

    And... completely off topic... can someone please tell Mr. Bush that outside of Texas it's nuclear, not nuke-u-leer.

    --

    the clock on the wall says 4 til 7
  2. Re:Why Apple harware, and why not OS X by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Actually some nuclear subs have had swimming pools.

    The Typhoon (NATO name) nuclear missile submarine has a swimming pool in it.

    http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/10/23/38544_. ht ml

    "...crew's rest area is like a club with lots of conveniences. There is a gym, a sauna, and even a pool there. We saw some submariners swimming there, having good time at work."

    http://arms.host.sk/navy/941.htm

    Modern American submarines all have air conditioning aboard.

    http://www.dt.navy.mil/pao/excerpts%20pages/1997 /s eawolf10.html

    "In addition, we have conducted many trials on actual and smaller scale components and systems on the Large Scale Vehicle (Kokanee) and other test platforms, as well as the actual Seawolf, itself. Some of the many unclassified equipment items in which the Division played a large part include: - Air conditioning compressors"

    http://www.usscod.org/fact.html
    "Habitability is heavily stressed in the construction of modern submarines. Specially designed color schemes, mechanical conveniences, air conditioning, and the best chow in the Navy are supplied to make the vessels more livable. A full time staff is maintained by Electric Boat Division to work out 'human engineering' problems."