USN (nuclear armed) carrier battle force headed for NORKs.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

When I got my first computer in the USN, c. 1987, it was running MSDOS 3.2.

[SteelCurtain]

I was stationed on an amphib that was part of a CBG in the Pacific. Our sonar capabilities/detection technology is vastly greater than it was in the 80's, especially with one specific enemy whose capabilities we know.

They will have P-3/P-8s buzzing out of Midway and know the location of all of the NK submarine assets before they get within 1000 miles. Brass probably keeps a running tab on all of their DE subs.

But I still disagree with muscle flexing all over the world. We are flexing at the Russians, and trying to negotiate a deal with the Chinese that somehow hinges on them fixing "the North Korea" problem. So, incite an attack and watch the Chinese run to our assist?

[popeyespappy]

The debacle with the Aussie sub was in the late 90's. While I don't doubt our technology has improved some since then I do doubt we know where all their subs are. It wasn't that long ago a NK sub sunk the ROKS Cheonan. That happened during an joint anti-submarine exercise, and the Cheonan was reported to have been using their active sonar at the time.

[Chad32]

Mattis: Navy Strike Group Not Headed to North Korea for Any Reason

Maybe they are lost?

The Navy's software is not exactly state-of-the-art.

http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/26/technolo...-contract/

The U.S. Navy is still using Windows XP -- now 14 years old and defunct -- and it has to pay Microsoft $9 million to keep supporting it.

Hopefully they will eventually decide that the cost of upgrading the systems is lower than the cost of paying Microsoft to continue supporting so old.

[Jackalope]

Maybe they are lost?

The Navy's software is not exactly state-of-the-art.

http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/26/technolo...-contract/

Hopefully they will eventually decide that the cost of upgrading the systems is lower than the cost of paying Microsoft to continue supporting so old.

I bet their contract with Microsoft includes an upgrade path that's financially attractive. However, I would guess that the issue with the Navy's computers is that they have legacy software and the acceptance testing for an OS is probably daunting.

[Minimalist]

I would guess that the navy's computers can't run anything heavier than XP.

We had that problem at the IRS - and I suspect most other federal agencies.  The computers lacked the memory to be upgraded.

[Pat Mustard]

I bet their contract with Microsoft includes an upgrade path that's financially attractive.

For Micro$oft. Remember, the only government body worse than the UK's for shovelling money at companies selling shitty goods and services is the US military.

[popeyespappy]

I would guess that the navy's computers can't run anything heavier than XP.

We had that problem at the IRS - and I suspect most other federal agencies.  The computers lacked the memory to be upgraded.

Wouldn't surprise me if a lot of the shipboard systems are still Intergraph hardware that tops out at 4 gigs. Another issue is it's probably a real PITA not to mention expensive to get new software certified for critical systems. It took NASA nearly 10 years to upgrade the shuttle to i386 processors. By the time they started flying with them the hardware was already several generations outdated.

[SteelCurtain]

It depends on the platform, but it's safe to say that the systems are about 10 years behind the curve.

We wouldn't use active sonar as the primary detection strategy for a DE sub. MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) buoy arrays are fantastically effective from P-3/P-8 platforms in the sky.

[LastPoet]

Just saw on the news here, Trump speaking. He is sending an awesome fleet, it has submarines more powerfull than the carrier, just awesome, you would love it.

Somekind of interview he gave. what a military genius.