US stopped using floppy disks to manage nuclear weapons arsenal

bro67 · 20 Oct 2019

Mark this is not a non-story. The Air Force has those in the power to be to keep shifting the blame why they have not kept their systems up to date, unlike the other branches. Also the government is known to clear out stock in the warehouses on a routine basis, so that there is not stock sitting there gathering dust and cobwebs. I cannot recall how much equipment we trashed after three years. Those who are currently serving are going online to inquire who has overstock or can Horse trade for stuff they need. The suppliers are those that the everyday public goes to. As for the Enterprise, they contract out to the lowest bidder out of house. The State of Illinois uses AT&T to maintain their PBS and networks. That contract is as old as dirt.

Steve C · 21 Oct 2019

I remember using 8" floppy discs c. 1980! This was the same era as DEC RL01 removable hard drives storing 5MB in a 19" rack.

I'm impressed the US military still has a supply of 8" floppy discs

sygnus21 · 21 Oct 2019

bro67 said:

Mark this is not a non-story. The Air Force has those in the power to be to keep shifting the blame why they have not kept their systems up to date, unlike the other branches.

How long did you serve in the Air Force? What was your career field there?

While the "US stopped using floppy disks to manage nuclear weapons arsenal" makes for sensationalistic headlines and gets those not in the know all hyped up, I can guarantee you (and the media) have no clue of the systems the military, let alone the Air Force uses for their nuclear arsenal. None. The "floppy disc story" is but an old footnote in the real way those in the need-to-know business understands.

Again, I did 26 years in the U.S. Air Force as both an aircraft mechanic specialist (fighters, bombers) and my last years as a Programs Administrator (including overseeing our local LAN office) before retiring in 2005. I have a clue

This story is sensationalistic at best and misses the truth my a few thousand miles at worst.

CountMike · 21 Oct 2019

Floppies are very unreliable and insecure media, can't see how it could be used for highly sensitive info. I was able to restore data from them even after couple of formats. Heads writes at least 4 tracks with same data but uses only one when reading data. Only barbecued floppy is safe floppy.

farrellart · 22 Oct 2019

sygnus21 said:

As one who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2005 I can tell you this is complete nonsense.

You do know that I am referring to a computer shop??? Right????

sygnus21 · 22 Oct 2019

farrellart said:

You do know that I am referring to a computer shop??? Right????

Though I quoted your post my reply was to the article itself

Thanks