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Interceptor Missile Fails Test Launch
jangobongo writes "The US missile defense system suffered a serious setback today, just 2 weeks before it was scheduled to be activated. A target ICBM was launched from Alaska, but crashed harmlessly into the ocean as the interceptor missile based on an atoll in the Pacific Ocean shut itself down due to an unknown "anomaly". The cause of the failure could have been anything from a software glitch to a major hardware malfunction."
Two words: Windows ME?
if it was software related it was probably due to a fault in the scheduling algorithm re: data sharing between processes most problems in RTS come from an excessive amount of world inputs that aren't properly accounted for by data structures then again.. it could of just ran out of gas
"The more you know, the less sure you are." - Voltaire
$85 million
Stupid rackafratchin' metric conversions ;)
Honey, I shrunk the Cygwin
Wait until the full release! This isn't even a Release Candidate!
Are you trying to "take the piss" or any of those other wacky colloquialisms non-American English speakers use?
[Set Cain on fire and steal his lute.]
as the interceptor missile ... shut itself down...
Well, it could have been worse! Nothing like going from one incoming ICBM to one ICBM and one haywire interceptor...
Just a thought. If I was a terrorist (I'm not honest!) and I heard Americans going on and on about how great this system is knowing full well its faulty I'd probably put it to the test. Seems like that would be the ultimate slap in the face. "Your billions and billions of dollars STILL can't stop us" An unfounded claim just begs to be tested.
Its like those "indestructible" CD holders they sell in those little booths at the mall.... Lets just say I'm not allowed back in that mall for a while.
Wow. That sounded bad. Ok. No more writting in the first person as a terrorist.
--
To sig or not to sig
Combine this with the previous story, and you would get a killing machine that ran really slowly, and randomly shut itself down mid killer-rampage.
the ICBM was a dummy... no worries.
The ICBM isn't the dummy that worries me about this failure...
"Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"
Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
The talking head who said "unknown anomaly" probably talked to the engineers first. They probably said something like:
To which he says, "I'll just tell 'em we don't know what happened yet"
If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
It was too broadly programmed and decided to become a conscientious objector...
(Now there's a sci-fi story waiting to be written... an AI that refuses to do non-efficient work that it was designed to do..."This job is stupid, I'm not doing it...")
Critics of anti-ballistic missile defense systems have often pointed out the futility of trying to build a missile defense system. As the critics have explained, it will always be easier to build an effective missile offense than it will be to build an effective defense.
So, it seemed tragically humorous when the press spokesman for the missile defense effort inadvertantly agreed with the critics when the press spokesman proclaimed that although the interceptor had failed, the target missile had functioned properly.
With all of the money being spent on this program, it seems to me that it ought to be possible to hire a more savvy spokesman.
Important Notice to Rogue States and Terrorists: If you plan to attack the US, check the weather first and make sure it's a calm, clear day so our missile defence system has a chance of working. Love, the US government.
The system is a total waste.
.. the fact that the system has never yet worked properly under normal expected conditions?
... wouldn't want any real threats to test the system, better to just invade the imaginary threats that never had any WMD's.
It is obsolete before it is even functional.
Why do I say this?
Because to overcome the defense, all you need to do is send more warheads and make the warheads travel faster. A CHEAP EASY WAY TO OVERCOME A TRILLION DOLLAR SYSTEM. They can be real warheads, they can be decoys, just put lots in the air at once, the US won't be able to shoot them all down. Make them move faster, and the defense system can't keep up.
This does not require very many missles.
The new Russian system announced recently does all this. Each missle carries more warheads (10 or 12), and the missle travels much faster than previous missles.
Now, how about the other issue
The ONLY time the system has EVER shot down a missle has been when the target missles have been set to travel and a greatly reduced speed AND have been made to emit a homing signal for the defensive missle to follow in.
Do you really think any 'rogue states' are going to slow their missles down and put nice friendly homing beacons on them? dumbass.
Hmmmm maybe that's why DUBYA is such good friends with the nuclear military dictatorship of Pakistan, as well as the well known terrorist leader of Libya who has murdered hundreds and has billions in the bank to fund any terrorists he wants
George Bush + Linux = "I will not let information get in the way of the fight against Windows"
This used to happen to me all the time.
That little sticker that holds the igniter up in the engine probably came loose. Either that, or the alligator clip came off the igniter.
Estes is usually good to deal with, just call their 800 number and they'll send a new pack of igniters.
There is a helpful guide here.
But it's kind of embarrassing that a Web site that purports to carry "news for nerds" should just parrot the misinformation carried in the wire service report.
How ridiculous that Slashdot should believe the media coverage about a secret event held in a highly-controlled military zone off the coast of Alaska! Why, Rob or Jamie or somebody should have been in a little rowboat, monitoring the whole thing themselves.
And they call themselves geeks... Feh!
-Waldo Jaquith
Dear U.S. Government,
I heard recently you had some trouble "getting it up". Two words: Sildenafil citrate, it did wonders for the Ruskies.
Love,
Generic pharmaceutical company.
> Um. You're very confused. The UN Security
> Council, in the person of permanent member
> France, told us to fuck off, not the other
> way around.
Sure, after Bush swaggared in there and whipped his dick out. I'd have told him to fuck off too. What was that he said, something about the UN being irrelevant? Then when he came crawling back "um, we broke Iraq, can you help us out." I'd have told him to fuck off again.
> Take a look at the loss figures and explain to
> me, please, how the most successful military
> campaign in the history of warfare can be
> characterized by the phrase "not enough armor."
How about "the bad guys ran away". The US ran in and said "Boo" and the Iraqis ran off and turned into guerilla force.
Take a look at the US's objectives. Sure, they got Saddam, w00t. Have they "liberated" Iraq? Uh, don't think so. How is that "successful"?
> We go invading other countries to prevent
> problems at home.
Yeah, those Vietnamese terrorists are a bitch, no? How about them Saudis?
"The cause of the failure could have been anything from a software glitch to a major hardware malfunction." You should change the title! "First Longhorn test partially successful!"
Join the anonymous, help develop the network: http://www.i2p2.de
And how's your missile defense system going?
It works just as well as yours, but at a fraction of the the cost!
hehe.
Yea, you're right.
Let's ignore the scientists, and trust the politicians.
# (/.);;
- : float -> float -> float =
African or European?
The *REAL* anti-missile program is we sell these missiles to North Korea. Then they fail to launch when the Koreans try to use them.
paintball
Its just following Asimov's 3rd robotic law.
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
You could at least spell "chief" correctly. Dumass.
Oh, sweet irony...
Downmodding is the refuge of the weak. Don't downmod, make a better argument!
Mentally retarded lemurs everywhere are bristling at being compared to Bush supporters. Especially the ring-tailed lemurs, they hate that shit.