Why military should use Linux

Because if you are running *nix you're provided way more effective tools for securing and locking down a system than with linux - especially XP.

 

Of course, this wouldn't affect the RAF & RN ... they don't use computers yet LOL!

 

Yep and RAF has the Tornado to counter any virus and don't forget the Harriers.

 

AFAIK both the RAF & the FAA don't fly GR 7/FR 7 Harriers any more as they got shot down by government cuts. Personally I'd like to borrow a Eurofighter Typhoon for a weekend, being as the taxpayer paid for most of it. As for the Tornado, I think it was the aeroplane equivalent of Vista ...

 

@Daveski17
RAF Harriers indeed are scrapped in favor of the Tornado's. In my opinion the Tornado is an excellent plane.... yet the Sukhoi Su-27 rules them all of course ;-)

-on topic-
Military's have to deal with lots of integrated systems, conversion to an other OS is a hell of a job. You will be stunned if you see on what ancient OS some integrated fire-systems run. Personally I'm a big supporter of using 'frozen' open-source software as a basis for all military systems. And that's exactly where we are busy with for years.

 

I wouldn't mind borrowing a Sukhoi 27 for a bit either.

You'd think that the military would develop their own software more for security reasons.

That sounds like an excellent idea, if only I knew what it meant.

 

@Daveski17
Unfortunately we don't have Sukhoi 27's for lend I'm afraid. A flight in a Mil Mi-8 should otherwise be possible of you visit base... as a passenger of course.

The military has special developed software for 'operational usage' but these are not unique codebases. It's safe to tell that till a few years ago some NATO members used NT4 backends. Don't expect full blown operating systems developed by the military, it's to costly and too complicated to be used with dozens of different hardware. For example, writing drivers for special components if no problem, writing drivers for every new desktop or laptop around is.

What I'm saying is that we should aim for a base system witch can be extended with modules for different purposes. This way we can create tighter security. Most ideally this should be Linux or a BSD variant, just because we can review the code. The idea of 'frozen' open source is that you take a snapshot of the code and fully review it. Modification for the code are only rolled out when totally reviewed. Any changes to the base code will be shared according to the license (GNU / BSD / Apache...).
Modules to the base system however will not be published. This is no problem however since they are not a modification of the open source base code.

To give you an example. We take a snapshot of the Linux Kernel, X11 and GTK+ toolkit. We review the code and use it as a base for our systems. Then we create modules. These can involve modules for tanks, missile launchers and maybe even desktop usage.

 

Not to mention military runs ancient equipment, even till today you will find valves inside the Mig-21 and 23, the Russians were paranoid about digital jamming it seems and incorporated that.

Btw google COPE 2004 and 2005 and you will find out how Migs and Su-31 did against their opposition.

 

I know a guy with a Yak. I believe he's ex-Russian air force.

I'd have thought if anyone could get development funding it would be the military, of course, they are also subject to many cuts.

Sounds like a good plan.

 

A bit OT; I wonder how 'the opposition' would have done in a real-world 'beyond visual range' scenario instead of a 'visual range-only' rules of engagement scenario.
Slammer missiles, data-link comm. and jamming equipment would make some difference I guess.
Great exercises though for VR- and dogfight training.

 

Cisco white paper

Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS)

 

Would have done quite well, the opposition has hardware to deal with BVR scenario as well, considering the skill, tactics and talent of the pilots and overall infrastructure, it would have have been equal footed. The issue here was the underestimation and presumptive attitude of dealing with a air force that has been flying since WW-I and have given air aces in both wars.

 

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