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Land Warrior Army Suits Simplified, Linux-ized

Dosco Jones writes 'The Army is drastically simplifying the makeup of its high-tech soldier ensemble, the Land Warrior, in an effort to make the system less prone to failures and easier to use,' National Defense reports. Defense Tech continues: 'After the last version of Land Warrior failed reliability tests earlier this year, the Army switched gears and decided to make the system less complex and modify the hardware to make it compatible with the new [and controversial] Stryker infantry vehicle. Changes include a more simplified data bus and a Linux-based operating system, as opposed to Windows. 'Evidence shows that Linux is more stable. We are moving in general to where the Army is going, to Linux-based OS', says the program's manager, Lt. Col. Dave Gallop."

13 of 361 comments (clear)

  1. Heh... by EvilSporkMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Evidence shows that Linux is more stable
    I'm sure they'll be hearing from Commander Gates about that one shortly...

    --
    -insert a witty something-
    1. Re:Heh... by Nighttime · · Score: 5, Funny

      Evidence shows that Linux is more stable
      I'm sure they'll be hearing from Commander Gates about that one shortly...


      Never mind that, imagine Darl trying to get his $699 licence money:

      Darl: "Oh yeah? You and whose army?"

      --
      I've got a fever and the only prescription is more COBOL.
  2. Scary,,, by DCowern · · Score: 5, Funny

    Each fighter would get equipped with a small, 500 megahertz computer running Windows 2000...

    "Although it has been much improved over earlier prototypes, the system was deemed 'unreliable' and unlikely to survive the rigors of combat," National Defense says.

    The thought of Windows even being considered for such a mission critical application (i.e. keeping our boys alive) scares the bejeezus out of me... kinda brings a new meaning to "blue screen of death".

    1. Re:Scary,,, by EinarH · · Score: 5, Funny
      It's cheap Karma but someone needs to do this:

      Clippy: "It looks like you are trying to press the trigger on your weapon, would you like some help?"

      1. Learn how to reload you new high tech gun with a 20 minute walk-through.
      2. Install new Patriot-skins on the hud of you display.
      3. Get help on the installing the latest Friendly Fire buffer overflow.
      4. Return home and shoot the person who made this sytem.

      --

      Melius mori in libertate quam vivere in servitute.

  3. Linux, eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    The cost of war just went up by $699

  4. I hear... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Marines are going to run FreeBSD, because linux just isn't tough enough.

    1. Re:I hear... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      The Marines are going to run FreeBSD

      Yeah, I hear that Marines aren't afraid to die.

  5. Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The enemy is approaching. Fire away!"
    "I can't, sir... There's no compatible driver for this missile launcher yet!"

  6. Simplify, my butt! by No+Such+Agency · · Score: 5, Funny

    I recommend downgrading all versions of Soldier to the basic "naked man with stick" functionality which was immensely popular and robust for a good portion of the version history of Soldier. There'd be a lot less problems in the long run, as long as all users comply with the downgrade.

    --
    Freedom: "I won't!"
  7. Pstt . . . "more reliable" by Idou · · Score: 4, Funny

    Everyone knows that they are just covering up the fact that they couldn't afford to buy a REAL OS, you know, with the lack of funding the U.S. army gets and all.

    Nobody uses Linux for an other reason than its cost, which is actually more than Windows when you take in account its TCO cause windows has all those neat add ons that make life more productive, like clippy.

    --
    Sdelat' Ameriku velikoy Snova!
  8. Windows did have some advantages however ... by RedA$$edMonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The minesweeper simulation did not seem to adequately train our engineers"

  9. You Can See It Now by deadlinegrunt · · Score: 5, Funny

    "You have loaded new ammo in your gun -- Please contact Microsoft for a new activation key."

    --
    BSD is designed. Linux is grown. C++ libs
  10. Re:Fuck This by GypC · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because as we all know, if the all of the world's militaries disappeared, why overnight, the whole world would live in harmony and peace. Especially if firearms were illegal everywhere. Then, no one would have any guns (because killers hate to break the law) or armies, and physically powerful gangs of merciless cutthroats with lots of sword and archery practice would definitely NOT roam the land pillaging and raping peaceful farmers and artisans. It's unthinkable, it's never happened. Why, before there were guns and armies, all people lived in a blessed Utopia free of disease, famine, rampaging predators and rival tribes trying to eat you. It was only when evil men created cities and armies to protect themselves (from God knows what! there was nothing to fear!) that life became to unbearably harsh and, GASP, *BABIES WERE KILLED*! Later, firearms were invented that allowed evil old ladies to actually protect themseleves from gangs of virile young criminals by, *HORROR*, SHOOTING THEM AND HURTING, OR EVEN KILLING THEM!

    This madness must stop. I demand a return to good old days when there was no war, disease, guns, filthy capitalist pigs, or PVC packaging that's fucking impossible to open.