OK, I'm back to normal now...
Being an IT guy, I read this article today and just about had a fit.
Excerpt:
When the group of Raptors crossed over the IDL (International Date Line), multiple computer systems crashed on the planes. Everything from fuel subsystems, to navigation and partial communications were completely taken offline. Numerous attempts were made to "reboot" the systems to no avail.
Luckily for the Raptors, there were no weather issues that day so visibility was not a problem. Also, the Raptors had their refueling tankers as guide dogs to "carry" them back to safety.
Now, the F-22 has been in service for 14 months, officially. This software bug has apparently existed for years of test flights, plus fourteen months of normal use. If I were the USAF, I'd have some hard questions for Lockheed:1. WHY THE DEVIL WASN'T THIS SCENARIO TESTED IN QA?
2. WHY AREN'T THESE CRITICAL SYSTEMS REDUNDANT IN CASE OF A COMPUTER FAILURE?
3. What sub-contractor wrote the software? (and bring me the head of the programmer!)
4. Why isn't there a manual backup for radar and navigation?
5. HOW MANY OTHER BUGS ARE THERE THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT?
If I were piloting these planes, I think I'd stick one of those rotating compass globes on the dash, just in case.
1 comment:
Well for starters these things are total glass cockpit machines. The steam gauges went out a long time ago. Obviously the engine control module was able to keep functioning, otherwise there'd be a bunch of $120 million planes at the bottom of the ocean. Luckily these guys were able to observe the military equivalent of visual flight rules and get home safely.
I think the dashboard compass would probably fly off during high-Gs, but a $200 GPS would probably do the trick. Best of all it doesn't crash when you pass the IDL.
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